Jony Ive Creates Solid Gold EarPods for (RED) Sotheby's Charity Auction - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Jony Ive Creates Solid Gold EarPods for (RED) Sotheby's Charity Auction

by

Gold EarPodsJony Ive, Apple's senior vice president of design, has contributed to an auction [PDF] celebrating "masterworks of design and innovation" to benefit Bono's Project (RED) charity.

Ive worked with designer Marc Newson to curate and in some cases customize a number of items including a one-of-a-kind Steinway & Sons grand piano, and the pair curated the rest of the collection, including a set of 18k solid rose gold Apple EarPods, pictured at right, and a customized magnum of Dom Perignon 1966 with a custom red label.

Leading the auction are the two items designed in their entirety by Jony and Marc – a unique Leica Digital Rangefinder Camera, which is, in and of itself, a feat of extraordinary engineering, and a unique aluminum desk produced by Neal Feay Studios. Joining these editions labeled 01/01 and specifically produced for the (RED) Auction are: a Steinway & Sons Parlor Grand Piano and a 2012 Range Rover, both customized by Jony and Marc; a unique version of Hermès’ iconic Cavale saddle created in red leather with custom red stitching; a one- of-a-kind pair of classic Apple EarPods in solid rose gold; a Russian cosmonaut suit; a pair of Damien Hirst ‘Spin Chairs’ designed by Jasper Morrison; a custom Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos “561” Clock with unique red accents created for the auction; and a Dom Pérignon Œnothèque s 1966 Magnum with custom red foil label, red ice bucket cooler and limited edition protective case.

The charity auction will be held on November 23 at Sotheby's New York.

Top Rated Comments

boshii Avatar
170 months ago
These would be perfect for the champagne 5S. :D
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
For me heavier earphones stay in better as light ones a single light knock of the cable causes them to fly out.

But putting it in your ear a few times will start to make it tarnish and loose value but I guess that's the same as a ring of a necklace.
gold doesn't tarnish
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4God Avatar
170 months ago
Wonder if they'll sound tinny...:D
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
musika Avatar
170 months ago
I'm no big Star Wars buff or anything, but did anybody else think of C3PO when they saw this?

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arran Avatar
170 months ago
Especially, what will you do when the cable breaks one day?

Use them as ear plugs. Silence is golden.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Drumjim85 Avatar
170 months ago
For me heavier earphones stay in better as light ones a single light knock of the cable causes them to fly out.

But putting it in your ear a few times will start to make it tarnish and loose value but I guess that's the same as a ring of a necklace.

You put necklaces in your ear?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

8 CarPlay Features in iOS 27 Feature

Which iOS 27 CarPlay Features Actually Work in Your Car?

Thursday September 17, 2026 4:17 am PDT by
In iOS 27, available now, CarPlay gets its biggest update in years, but some features depend on what type of car you have rather than your iPhone model. Some of the biggest additions won't do anything in the vast majority of vehicles on the road today. Here's how the new features pan out. Works in Any CarPlay Vehicle Custom widgets: In iOS 27, CarPlay is no longer limited to Apple's handful ...
Apple Watch New Charging Puck

Here's Why a New Apple Watch Charging Puck Was Just Released

Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
The new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 have hardware changes that allow for faster charging, but you will need to use the new version of the Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger included in the box in order to achieve this boost. If you need extra ones for your own charging stands or travel or so forth, Apple released the new version of the charger on its online store last week, with...
ios272anniversary

iOS 27.2 Could Save Your Marriage

Wednesday September 16, 2026 1:32 pm PDT by
The iOS 27.2 beta that Apple released today adds a feature that reminds you it's your anniversary when you call someone, as long as you've added the date in the Contacts app. On the date of your anniversary, when you go to call the person, you'll see a reminder that it's an important day so you don't forget to say something. The anniversary alert uses Call Context, a feature Apple added in...