A set of gold earphones have been placed on display in at Clive Ranger jewelry shop Bristol.

Designed by renowned Belgium based jeweler Casa Gi, the listening devices are made from 18 carat gold, encrusted with 118 of the highest quality diamonds and give a crystal clear sound.

Each earphone contains 59 diamonds that have been individually set in the gold, giving a sparking appearance.

The total weight in gold is 18 grams making them a fair bit heavier than a standard plastic pair. But makers claim they are just as comfortable and give excellent sound quality.

The earpieces are attached to a white wire with a standard jack that fits into most MP3 players and computers.

Richard Slack, managing director for the firm, said: “They are attracting a lot of attention but as of yet we haven’t found a buyer. I think they are aimed at fairly extrovert people, maybe a sports star or someone in the acting profession – they are the ultimate in bling.”

The sparkling earphones, which are thought to be the most expensive in the world, have now gone on sale for £3,499 (approximately US $5,150).