8 The Most Expensive Birkin Bags

The Hermès Birkin bag is one of the world’s most iconic and sought-after luxury handbags.

It is also one of the most expensive bags, with some models selling for more than $150,000. While the Birkin is often seen as a status symbol, the bag’s timeless design and craftsmanship have made it a classic that will remain in style for years. 

In 1984, Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas was seated next to actress Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. After observing Birkin struggling to contain her belongings in her straw bag, Dumas offered to create a stylish and functional bag. The result was the iconic Hermès Birkin bag, which has become an international symbol of luxury and sophistication. 

The Birkin bag is available in various sizes, from the mini Birkin to the maxi Birkin, and in various colors and leathers. The most expensive Birkin bags are made from exotic leathers such as crocodiles, ostrich, and lizards. These luxurious leathers can add thousands of dollars to the bag’s price, with some models selling for more than $150,000. 

Hermès Birkin bags are handmade in France by skilled artisans and are constructed from the highest quality materials. The bags are painstakingly finished with meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a beautiful and durable product. The bags also feature a unique locking system that helps keep the contents of the bag secure. 

The Birkin bag is a timeless classic coveted by celebrities, fashionistas, and everyday women. The bag symbolizes power and success and has become a status symbol for the wealthy and elite. Despite the hefty price tag, the Birkin’s timeless design and quality craftsmanship make it a worthwhile investment for those who can afford it. 

The most expensive Birkin bags are luxurious and elegant accessories that will make a statement. Whether you are looking for a classic piece to add to your wardrobe or a gift for someone special, the Hermès Birkin bag is sure to impress.

Below are some most expensive Birkin bags:

Metallic Birkin

Cost: $135,000

A very limited assortment of Metallic Birkin bags was made available by Hermès in 2005. The legendary window displays that Lela Menchari produced for the Hermès original shop in Paris served as the inspiration for the Metallic Birkin, which was available in either silver or bronze.

Metallic Birkins, on the other hand, were crafted from standard Chèvre Goat Leather, in contrast to the vast majority of the remaining Birkins on this list, which are fashioned from exotic leathers. However, they were colored metallic during the dying process, a finish that is not typical of a Birkin bag.

Omber Birkin

Cost: $137,500

Bags made from lizard skin are very hard to come by because lizards are often quite tiny animals with limited skin available for harvesting. Therefore, it should be no surprise that this Ombré Birkin, crafted from lizard skin, is very pricey and almost hard to locate.

Over the years, a handful of these lizards Ombré Birkin handbags have become available for purchase, and the highest price that has ever been paid for one of these bags is $137,500. This Ombré Birkin’s inside is finished with a lining made of Parchemin chevre, and it has 1 zipper pocket with a Hermès engraved drawstring pull.

Bleu Marine Diamond Birkin

Cost: $122,300

2011 was memorable for Christie’s auction house since many Birkin bags were auctioned for six figures combined. During that year, an auction brought in a total of $122,300 for this Bleu Marine Diamond Birkin.

The bag was constructed from porous crocodile material dyed to a shade of blue that was so dark that it was virtually opaque. The hardware of the Bleu Marine Diamond Birkin was crafted from 18-karat white gold and white diamonds, much like the gear on all other Diamond Birkins.

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Fuchsia Birkin

Cost: $222,000

Our Fuchsia Birkin formerly held the record as the costliest handbag in the world, much like a couple of Birkin bags included in this list. At an auction held by Christie’s in Hong Kong in 2011, it was purchased for a total of $222,000. The genuine crocodile leather used in the construction of the Fuchsia Birkin has colored a vivid splash of fuchsia pink. In addition, the handbag’s hardware was crafted from 18-karat white gold and decorated with brilliant white diamonds.

Sac Birkin Faubourg

Cost: $240,000

Hermès introduced the Sac Birkin Faubourg in 2019, a Birkin with a one-of-a-kind design that pays tribute to the Hermès boutique on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in France. The Sac Birkin Faubourg has three openings: an orange awning, a carrier bag clochette, a matte reptile leather top flap, and crocodile skin handles.

In addition, this bag comes with a matching shoulder strap. It was available in two different hues, a dark brown and a dark blue. In addition, with a height of just 20 centimeters, the Sac Birkin Faubourg is among the most compact Birkin bags available.

Diamond Crocodile Birkin

Cost: $191,000-$261,000

Diamond Crocodile Birkin bags are status symbols that are very sought after, despite the heavy price tag that comes along with them. Prices for Diamond Crocodile Birkin handbags may vary anywhere from $191,000 to $261,000, as stated by Sotheby’s.

Crocodile skin is always used to make these bags and is available in various colors. The gear of the Diamond Crocodile Birkin is composed of 18-karat white gold and white diamonds, as the bag’s name could imply. On the secondary market, Diamond Crocodile Birkin bags are notoriously difficult to come by because they are often only produced in limited quantities.

Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin

Cost: $299,000

In 2011, this Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin set a new record for the most expensive handbag ever sold when it was purchased for $203,150. It went on to make history.

A good number of the Birkins on this list, in addition to handbags from other premium companies, have subsequently surpassed this record. A few years ago, the Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H porosus Crocodile Birkin was sold for close to $300,000.

Diamond Himalaya Birkin

Cost: $401,000

One of the most sought-after varieties of Birkin bags is the standard Himalaya Birkin, crafted from high-quality crocodile leather. This Birkin bag is also one of the most expensive. It will become even more appealing if you accessorize the Himalaya Birkin with some white diamond and gold hardware.

Around $401,000 was the winning bid for a unique Diamond Himalaya Birkin auctioned off in 2017 by Christie’s. Many people who are knowledgeable about bags believe that a Diamond Himalaya Birkin might easily get more than a half million dollars on the market now.

Birkin Bag by Ginza Tanaka

Cost: $1.9 Million

Although not much is known about these bags, the Birkin Bag designed by Ginza Tanaka is routinely ranked as the second costliest Hermès bag of all time, regardless of the design. No authorized sources specify the bag’s specifications, and the prices listed by various sites are inconsistent. Either $1.4 or $1.9 million was paid for the Ginza Tanaka Birkin when it was finally sold. Only one of these one-of-a-kind bags was produced, and it was made available to the public in 2008.

The purse is constructed of platinum and has more than 2,000 white diamonds set throughout its design. On the front of the Ginza Tanaka, Birkin bag is a big diamond weighing 8 carats that can be removed, transformed into a pin, or worn as a brooch.

The Sac Bijou Birkin

Cost: $2 Million

When it was first introduced in 2012, the Sac Bijou Birkin cost $2 million, making it the priciest Birkin bag in the brand’s history. This Birkin was a part of a series developed by Pierre Hardy, the design director of jewelry at Hermès. The collection was extremely limited in quantity. Because it is intended to be worn in place of a bracelet, the Sac Bijou is far more compact than standard Birkin bags.

Conclusion

The most expensive Birkin bags are truly luxurious statement pieces coveted and appreciated by many. These bags are incredibly expensive and can range from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the type, size, and material. The price of these bags reflects the craftsmanship and quality that goes into the making of each Birkin bag. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are evident in these bags and are a testament to why they are sought after by collectors and fashion connoisseurs.