HK$7.8 million royal diamond chess set took 30 artisans more than 9,000 hours to create

There's more to a chess set than meets the eye, as the game of strategy enters a new dimension in design.

Produced by Charles Hollander, the extravagant Royal Diamond Chess Set gives the masters of the game something new to think about.

This masterpiece debuted in 1996, with Hollander creating a chess set using strikingly beautiful diamonds.

Shortly after, one of Hollander's customers was fascinated by the beauty of the set and bought it for HK$7.8 million.

Designed by renowned French artist, designer and master jeweller Bernard Maquin, the dazzling creation makes a statement thanks to superb craftsmanship. This one-of-a-kind chess set took 30 artisans more than 9,000 hours to create the diamond-studded components by hand.

The chessboard and pieces are crafted from over 1kg of 14ct white gold and encrusted with 9,900 pavé-set black and white diamonds, for a total weight of 186.09ct.

Hollander's company, Gem Stone King, is now planning to enter the Chinese market, making it possible for the lucky few to possess a sparkling chess set in the not-too-distant future.