A Real Gold MasterCard with a Diamond

While many people worldwide are feeling the pinch of an economy that has been on a dizzying plunge over the last several weeks, there are still perks being offered for the super-rich in some countries. Take for example the new MasterCard®/Kazkommertsbank credit card soon to be available in Kazakhstan. It’s known as the “Diamond” and actually is inlaid with a 0.02 carat diamond and laced with gold. MasterCard has done the necessary testing to insure that the diamond encrusted card will fit into automated teller machines and point of sale slots. The card carries a $1,000 annual fee and features a picture of a winged horse for male cardholders and a peacock for female cardholders. Another benefit of the card is the around-the-clock personal card “manager”.

When questioned about the timing of the launch, Alla Voyakina, the bank’s head of international payment systems, stated: “The [financial] crisis is also affecting us but we are talking about rich people, they can afford to have such cards. It’s a question of prestige to have such cards in your wallet.” Ms Voyakina also noted that the bank only plans to issue 1,000 of the cards, and are targeting an audience of the bank’s “best of VIP customers.” Each card will carry a credit limit of $50,000, substantially higher than the highest limit on many MasterCard platinum cards.

MasterCard launched a similar card in Dubai last year, the invitation-only “Royale” card issued by Dubai First, a consumer finance group owned by the emirate’s ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Royale card offered a “lifestyle manager” and had no pre-set spending limits.

Mastercard says that such cards as the Diamond or the Royale are “leading examples of MasterCard’s ability to support our customers in meeting the lifestyle needs of these premium customers”.