Most expensive writing instruments

Price: $8 million

The historic Florentine brand Tibaldi with their expertise on pen proportion and design that captures some of the jewelry elements has yet again showcased their quality of technical execution in the latest masterpiece called Fulgor Nocturnus. Sold during a charity auction in Shanghai for a staggering $8 million, this single copy produced is based on the Divine Proportion of Phi, i.e. the proportion between the pen’s cap and the visible portion of the barrel when the pen is closed equals the phi ratio, 1.618. To enhance the aesthetic beauty, the Fulgor Nocturnus is embellished with 945 black diamonds along with 123 rubies found around the ring and 16 other clips adorn the small button above the cap. As it is with all the Tibaldi writing instruments, the Fulgor Nocturnus makes you crave to enjoy the incomparable pleasure of holding this masterpiece.

Price: 1.3 million

Aurora Diamante, an Italian masterpiece pen that targets the collectors who take pride in following the line of art. The pen features over 30 carats of diamonds, and is available in solid platinum or white gold versions. Further, 18KT solid gold nib and a two-tone, rhodium-treated solid platinum barrel with an exquisite diamond cabochon crown that features nearly two thousand "4 C" certified De Beers diamonds on a two hectogram, making it one of the world’s most expensive pen.

Price: $995,510

Heaven Gold Pen by Anita Tan is another writing instrument that has impressed us. It’s known to be the epitome of fine pens, and it’s also the first ever luxurious pen designed by a women for a women. Costs $995,510, the pen happens to be one of the most expensive writing instrument. It was designed to celebrate the beginning of 2012 which was going to mark the changing alignments of the planets, drawing inspiration from the Cosmos. Further, the pen is decorated with 161 brilliant color diamonds circling the gemologically superior 43 cts Tsavorite gemstone which is estimated to be over 2 billion years old.

Price: $730,000

The luxury houses of Van Cleef & Arpels and Montblanc are the proud makers of this breathtaking writing instrument named the Mystery Masterpiece, which was launched on the February 2006 as a part of their centenary celebrations. The pen was made of white gold, adorned with rubies, sapphires, or emeralds and accented by diamonds. Each pen has 840 diamonds and more than 20 carats of gemstones set in a Van Cleef & Arpels patented ‘Mystery Setting’.

Price: $406,453

The Gotica pen from Caran d'Ache recently made its debut in China. The pen, which celebrates Gothic art and architecture, is made of rhodium-coated solid silver with six faces decorated with Gothic windows, fleurs-de-lis and rosettes. The Gotica Jewel pen is fitted with 892 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 7.10 carats and the rosettes have 72 emeralds and 72 rubies. Priced at 3.28 million yuan ($406,453) in China.

Price: $265,000

This pen was made by Caran d’Ache, a Switzerland based company in 1999 as homage to architect Antonio Gaudi. This amazing fountain pen was sold at an auction for $265,000. The pen had an 18-carat rhodium-coated gold nib and was set with a total of 5,072 Wesselton diamonds weighing in at 20-carats, as well as 96 rubies totaling 32-carats. La Modernista Diamonds has been featured in the Guinness Book of Records 2001 for being the most expensive pen at that time.

Price: $256,010

Only 81 pieces of the Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81 pens have been made. The fountain-pen is made of 18K white gold and festooned with diamonds and ruby-studded. It flaunts 996 diamonds cut with facets and 92 rubies around its exterior while the inner workings are completely visible. The clip ring on the cap has 19 rubies attached to it while the 18K gold nib is set with two rubies. Priced at 200,000 Euros (US $256,010).

Price: $230,410

Crafted in the solid white, yellow or rose gold, the Limited Edition Boheme Papillon Pens are studded with over 1,400 scintillating diamonds and sapphires which delicately wrap around the body in three levels and onto the internal spring mechanism. Fragile butterflies and Keatsian plant tendrils festoon the cap and the body while the patented signature star-shaped Montblanc Diamond graces the top of the cap. These limited edition writing marvels have been designed to pay homage to one of the most amazing creatures in nature, the Butterfly. The limited edition Boheme Papillon is priced at 180,000 Euros (US $230,410).

Price: $175,000.

Montblanc has already given us a number of priceless writing marvels, and now the exclusive writing instrument by Montblanc called the Diamond Solitaire is up for auction at Bonhams & Butterfields sale of Fine Writing Instruments in Los Angeles on May 23. The elite fountain pen is set with over 4,600 clear-cut white diamonds on an 18 karat gold barrel tipped with a cap which has seven exclusive diamonds studded to it. One of the Montblanc exclusive creations, the Diamond Solitaire pen was made in limited quantities so that the exclusiveness could remain intact. This rare instrument has never been seen in any auction and is one of the world’s most expensive writing instruments. Just like a pen that was exhibited recently in Monaco at a VIP charity gala to pay tribute to Prince Rainier III of Monaco, this Montblanc fountain pen is an invaluable writing marvel which is one of its kind. Another set of items that are up for sale in the month of May will be the last of 53 produced Sir Winston Churchill fountain pens, which happened to be Churchill’s favorite, and all the important documents used to be signed by Montblancs. The Montblanc Diamond Solitaire pen is expected to fetch up to $175,000. Churchill’s favorite Montblanc is made of 18 karat rose gold inlaid laced in tortoise shell lacquer bands with the cap top ringed with 53 diamonds. These pens are expected to fetch around $15,000 - $25,000 each.

Price: $174,000.

The Caran d’Ache ‘1010’ Fountain Pen was made with 18-carat gold and studded with a diamond and a ruby. The pen touts details that can be found on fine mechanical watches. Even the ink bottle looks like a watch crown. The barrel was made transparent with the use of sapphire crystal. Only 10 units were produced, with each costing $174,000.

Price: $1,500,000.

The Montblanc Boheme Royal fountain pen features retractable platinum-plated 18K gold nib, 18K white gold barrel and cap set studded with 1,430 brilliant-cut diamonds. The Mont Blanc star logo is made of 19 diamonds highlighted with 18k white gold rings and the clip is set with a paramount-cut diamond. The diamond-studded writing instrument exceeds the million dollar mark with its luxury price tag of US $1,500,000.

Price: $134,700

This year, Perrier-Jouet celebrated its 200 years of glory and unveiled Bi-Centenaire, the very first Living Legacy champagne, which was designed to be passed on to future generations. Yet again the champagne company, in collaboration with the famous pen makers Omas, has created the limited edition Perrier-Jouet Anniversary Edition handmade pens. This is a limited edition production and only 1,811 pens have been created. The pen is crafted in bottle green shade and is made of precious resin cotton material. The green color is deliberately used in the body of the pen so that it can resemble the Bi-Centenaire champagne bottle, which was the anniversary edition. The pen has a special bicentennial logo engraved on the body and is recreated in such a manner that it resembles the Art Nouveau flower which can be seen on the Perrier-Jouët Cuvée Belle Epoque Champagne bottles. The nib of the fountain pen is crafted in 18 karat gold imprinted with the bicentennial logo. The Anniversary Edition by Omas makes an exclusive and innovative magnum opus and a perfect Christmas gift. Out of the total number, 20 exclusive pieces will be made in pink gold and will only be available on order. The elegant pen is housed in a beautiful box that also contains an ink pot. This limited edition anniversary special pen costs whooping $134,700.

Price: $66,000

One of the latest creations from the house of S.T. Dupont is the limited edition lighter and fountain pen set designed as a tribute to the storied military nobility of feudal Japan. The French luxury label, founded in Paris in 1872, is renowned for its luxury lighters, which have played a major role in building the brand’s reputation worldwide. The new Samurai Prestige Lighter and Pen set includes a display stand and matching katana, or samurai sword, letter opener. For the man who has everything, ST Dupont is bound to have something. The luxurious creations from the house are handcrafted from a chiseled piece of solid rose gold set with hundreds of white diamonds and textured black leather and silk ribbon accents. S.T. Dupont made its first pocket petrol lighter for the traveling case of a Maharajah back in 1941. This Samurai Limited Edition, inspired by the splendor and sophistication of their weapons, pays tribute to these exceptional warriors. A true French elegance for a gentleman's pocket, the S.T. Dupont Samurai Prestige Lighter and Pen set, limited to 20 pieces, sells for about $66,000.

Price: $57,000

The Ripple HRH Limited Edition Visconti fountain pen was made of 18K white gold and diamonds and with two-tone 18K gold nib. Available in white gold and black and priced at $57,000, this pen has double reservoir filling system.

Price: $36,000.

The Four Seasons Limited Edition Fountain Pen Sets were launched to celebrate the shades and changing colors of the passing time. Green stands for the spring, red for the summer, brown for the autumn and gray for intimate winter. The pen features 18-carat gold nib, classy engravings, and a state-of-the-art pump filling system. Only 33 units were made, with each priced at$36,000.

Price: $19,000.

Caran d’Ache’s 1010 Limited Edition fountain pen is a tribute to honor the Swiss watchmaking industry. The inspiration for the name “1010” comes from “Ten minutes past ten (10:10),” the moment when the hands on a watch dial are rightly balanced. Made of rhodium-coated silver, the 1010 pen boasts a clip that resembles a watch hand. An ornamental balance wheel has been placed between two rubies under a sapphire dome and the beautiful tiny tick marks are etched around the barrel. Pricing starts at a cool $19,000.

Price: NA

Although we don’t have any pricing info for the same, but I am sure it would cost more than a few thousand dollars. Created by Jean-Pierre and Benjamin Lepine in collaboration with Romain-Jerome CEO Yvan Arpa, the Titanic-DNA Fountain Pens collection is limited to a series of 88 exquisitely handcrafted pieces only. In a tribute to the Titanic ship, the pens are crafted from the finest materials, including Palladium, brass, PVD, stainless steel and gold. Each Romain Jerome Titanic-DNA fountain pen is decorated with a ring of oxidized steel at the barrel with the metal being a blend of materials reclaimed from the actual sunken ship and steel obtained from Harland & Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built. Note: Many of the pens listed above are not available as of today, but they certainly deserved to be in the list.