TLDR: Expensive items from Wagyu beef to bespoke suits and Bulgarian rose oil, highlighting luxury, craftsmanship, and unique global resources.
This article is a summary of a You Tube video “Why 12 Of The World’s Priciest Items Are So Expensive | So Expensive Season 12 | Business Insider” by Business Insider
Key Takeaways:
- Amethyst Crystals from Uruguay: The large and valuable amethyst geodes from Uruguay are expensive due to their size, mining difficulties, and the unique conditions under which they form.
- Matsusaka Wagyu Beef: The high cost is attributed to the extended fattening period of cattle, careful breeding, and meticulous feeding practices that ensure premium quality meat.
- Indian Nutmeg and Mace: These spices are expensive because of the delicate harvesting process, susceptibility to damage and disease, and the labor-intensive separation of nutmeg from mace.
- Italian Anvy Sauce (Alici): High-quality anvy sauce demands fresh anchovies, traditional preparation methods, and the expertise passed down through generations, contributing to its cost.
- Bespoke English Suits: The price reflects the custom tailoring, personal client interaction, and the high level of customization available in London’s Savile Row, emphasizing craftsmanship and tradition.
- Fish Maw: Sourced from various regions, its price varies with quality and demand, highlighting traditional uses and the modern appeal of rare, culturally significant dishes.
- Trudon Candles: These luxurious candles are expensive due to the meticulous crafting process, historical brand prestige, and the use of high-quality materials.
- Bulgarian Rose Oil: The rarity and labor-intensive process of producing rose oil, requiring thousands of kilograms of petals for a single kilogram of oil, make it highly valuable to luxury perfume brands.
- Wood for High-end Musical Instruments: The expense comes from the careful selection, book matching for symmetry, and the candling process to ensure quality, emphasizing the craftsmanship involved in making premium instruments.
- Agricultural Innovations and Market Dynamics: The adaptation of new technologies and market strategies in agriculture, such as the direct injection of fungi into crops, can affect the cost and availability of luxury food items, reflecting on global trade and local economies.






