Shock demand for gold dust manicures

The salon gets gold dust from a local jeweller to ensure purity and quality. The manicure takes about an hour and lasts about three weeks.

Victoria Young
Fri, 08 Feb 2013

A tough economy has not hampered demand for a $1200 nail service.

Claimed to be the most expensive in New Zealand, the manicure features 24-carat gold dust.

Verdo Nails owner Amber McIver, who designed the manicure, says she was shocked by demand for the exclusive service.

“We have offered the treatment to our existing clients and have already done three treatments, with another three booked in the coming weeks.”

The salon gets gold dust from a local jeweller to ensure purity and quality. The manicure takes about an hour and lasts about three weeks.

Ms McIver says it looks similar to Kelly Osborne’s controversial $US250,000 manicure last year.

“It's not glitter but it has a lovely gold shine to it.”

Depending on their wishes, clients can wear a couple of hundred dollars of gold at a time on their nails.

The beauty therapist says despite tough times she has a steady clientele wanting something different.

“My business grew 30% last year and 20% this year. Women are finding money to spend on themselves.”

While nail art was becoming popular, Ms McIver says she wanted to create a product that suits more sophisticated older women.

“For some people money is not an issue and they don’t want something mainstream.”

Ms McIver says she will continue to look for different materials to use on her high-end clients.

“We’re looking for outside the norm. Diamonds have crossed my mind but that would be at a huge cost.”

Victoria Young
Fri, 08 Feb 2013