The Rubik’s cube is one of the most famous puzzle games of all time, so it’s no surprise that it’s inspired a lot of art. Whereas many people have focussed on painting the Rubik’s cube, others used costly materials to build actual models of it.
Building costly cubes is sometimes done for publicity and other times for the sake of setting world records. Many collectors purchase these costly cubes for their own collections or as gifts for loved ones.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most costly Rubik’s cubes ever made.
1. The Masterpiece Cube
The Masterpiece Cube is the most costly Rubik’s Cube. Diamond Cutters International produced it in 1995 to honour the 15th anniversary of the puzzle’s international popularity.
The piece is part of the Beyond Rubik’s Cube display and is estimated to be worth $2.5 million. The cube is made up of amethyst, emeralds, and rubies that are all set in 18-karat gold.
Because this cube is constructed of gems and precious stones, it must be handled with caution. Though it can be solved in the same way as any other conventional Rubik’s cube, hard handling may harm this bejeweled Rubik’s cube.
2. Over the Top Cube
Until December 2, 2017, the “Over the Top” (171717) cube was the most costly Cube in regular production. To get one, you’ll need to buy “Part 1 of 7” (July 2017 price US$275.90) plus six of “Part 2 of 7” (July 2017 price US$395), for a total of US$2645.90; however, because the cube is being shown without tags, leaving the corners black in the illustrative example (or white in the purchased version), you’ll probably still need a set of Olivér’s tags (July 2017 price €8, or alternatively, you may order one from Oskar Van Deventer that is already completed and labeled for an undisclosed price.
3. Greg Pfennig’s 33x33x33 Cube
Greg Pfennig’s 33×33×33 cube, available through Olivér’s Stickers for €15,200 (completely constructed, stickered, lubed, and tested), has exceeded this cube.
4. The MoYu 13x13x13
The YJ MoYu 13×13×13 cube is a more affordable variant, costing £192.96 (US$25347). (September 2017 price). A 17x17x17, the latest in Yuxin’s HuangLong series, has been revealed, however, availability as of December 18, 2017, is limited.
5. VALK 3 ELITE M: $44.99
For many cubers, the Valk series of speed cubes has been a favorite, and they were formerly the go-to brand for speed cubes. This puzzle’s high cost is due to the high-quality materials used and the possibility to modify it.
It comes with three different spring sets to vary the tightness of the puzzle, as well as three different center cap sets to change the magnet strength fast and effortlessly.
When looking at a Rubik’s Cube, you generally don’t think about puzzle tension or magnet strength, but adjusting these on your puzzle can make a big difference. This is a feature shared by the majority of current speed cubes.