A sweeter kind of tweeter

In the world of the super-rich, diamonds and precious metals are not just used in rings and necklaces.

The top-end audio outlet Audissey, in Dubai Festival City, has a Dh500,000 pair of Kharma Exquisite Reference speakers with tweeter cones of diamond fragments and gold and silver wiring.

Harvey Nichols, as well as displaying jewellery, is offering a two-litre bottle of pink Guerlain perfume costing Dh43,500.

A Vividus bed, made by Hastens and stuffed with horsehair, is among the less traditionally luxurious items of display.

"You sweat about a litre of liquid in the night," explained the exhibitor, "and the horsehair in the mattress will absorb it. It will take air from the room and ventilate the bed."

The bed normally costs Dh390,000 but anyone buying it at the expo will receive a Dh100,000 discount, which must make it the best Dubai Shopping Festival bargain ever.

* Colin Simpson