Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga sport blinging face masks – but from Swarovski crystals to diamonds, pearls and pure gold, are these even Covid-19-proof?

Back in the deep mists of time in, say, 2019, wearing a mask was unusual. In 2020? You’re not properly dressed without one. As Covid-19 has made face coverings part of our everyday attire, people are getting increasingly creative on what masks they choose to wear.

From diamond studded masks to pearl embellished designer coverings, here are the most glamorous and crazy expensive masks we’ve seen from around the world.

A bejewelled diamond mask in India

A jewellery store in Surat, in the Western Indian state of Gujarat, grabbed the media’s attention when it introduced a jewelled mask decorated with diamonds and cubic zirconia. Inspired by a customer searching for masks for a soon to be married couple, the extravagant mask is now a popular buy with wedding guests.

In a BBC interview, the seller Dipak Chokski explained that they are keeping to government guidelines about what the masks should be made from: “They are N95 masks and washable, too.” Available in a range of different colours and fully customisable, you can coordinate your mask to match your stylish outfit, Chokski added. And if you will only wear the mask once, the jewels can be taken out and turned into other jewellery pieces.

Or a mask made out of pure gold?

Shankar Kurade, a businessman in Pune, India, added glam to his mask by making it from pure gold. Weighing 60 grams and taking eight days to make, the gold mask came about after he saw a man wearing a silver mask on the news. Kurade loves gold and he doesn’t leave the house without wearing some glistening jewellery. Kurade explained to Asian News International that “It’s a thin mask … so that there’s no difficulty in breathing,” but he did say himself that he is unsure if the mask will protect him from the virus.