Blog
Record Title for Most Valuable Dreidel
Estate Diamond Jewelry is proud to announce that we’ve officially set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most valuable dreidel in the world, with an appraised value of $70,000.
Our Record Title
Estate Diamond Jewelry set the official record record for the most valuable dreidel in the world, with an appraisal value of $70,000 (with inflation $88,700).
Why We Created the Dreidel?
There were are few reason that inspired us to create the world’s most valuable dreidel.
- First and foremost, the dreidel stands as a symbol of staying true to God’s values, even in the face of overwhelming pressure. This is a message that needs to be heard in the world today, and we want to use our medium of jewelry to give over that message.
- We wanted to shine a light on the beauty and significance of the festival of Chanukah (see more below).
- We love the idea of blending luxurious art and a beloved children’s game.
About Estate Diamond Jewelry
Estate Diamond Jewelry is a family-owned jewelry boutique on 5th Ave in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. For over 40 years, we’ve specialized in vintage jewelry and engagement rings, with one of the world’s most exceptional collections of authentic Art Deco engagement rings. It was our deep love for history that was one of main inspirations behind the creation of this extraordinary dreidel.
At the start, we had no idea how challenging it would be to craft a dreidel made entirely of gold and diamonds. We assumed it would be similar to our other custom jewelry projects. But creating a fully functional, diamond-studded dreidel at this scale was far more complex than we imagined.
“Every detail, weight balance, and structural decision required painstaking care,” says Afshin Shaddaie. “We had so much fun working on the project, but it was anything but easy to accomplish.”
Art Inspiration Behind the Dreidel Design
Before beginning the project, we explored hundreds of dreidel designs, both modern and traditional. We noticed that many contemporary artists had moved far away from the classic look. That inspired us to dial-back our elaborate ideas. We wanted to honor the traditional form while elevating it through thoughtful design in a niche of jewelry art that we understood, the Art Deco Era.
Our vision centered around clean, symmetrical lines, heavily influenced by the Art Deco era. The beveled edges, sharp diagonal cuts of the pavilion, and the straight, structured top were all designed to echo the bold geometry of Art Deco style. A major source of inspiration was the Chrysler Building, one the world’s most iconic Art Deco landmark, which is also just a few blocks away from our showroom. If you look closely at our final design, you’ll see subtle architectural nods to that timeless skyscraper.
The Hebrew letters of Nun, Gimmel, Hey, and Shin that are set in pavé diamonds and styled in the Ashuris script, which is the same ancient lettering style used in Torah scrolls. This font choice gave the dreidel a spiritual and historical depth, distinct from the more “modern” Hebrew fonts commonly seen today.
At the base of the dreidel, we added one final, striking touch. We set a 4.20-carat diamond set in a rounded gold bezel.
Achieving the Guinness World Record Title
On November 27th, 2019, our dreidel was officially awarded the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most valuable dreidel in the world.
“It’s been an incredible honor to receive this recognition,” says Afshin Shaddaie of Estate Diamond Jewelry. “We poured our hearts into this project, and thank God, it all came together in the most meaningful way. This is truly one of our proudest moments.”
Once we achieved the world record, the Guinness World Records sent a film crew to document the story behind the dreidel. Collaborating with their team was a fantastic experience, and they then created the following video:
The History of Chanukah
The story of Chanukah began over 2,200 years ago, during the time that the Land of Israel was under the rule of the Syrian-Greek empire. The Greeks tried to suppress Jewish life by banning Torah study, mitzvah observance, and belief in one God. Their goal was to replace Jewish values with Greek culture and ideology.
In response, a small group of brave Jews, known as the Maccabees, rose up in defiance. They defeated the powerful Greek army and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It had been defiled and neglected. They rededicated it to the service of God.
One of the most impactful miracles of the story happened when the Maccabees searched for pure oil to light the Temple’s Menorah. They found only one sealed jug of oil (which was barely enough to last one day). Miraculously, the oil burned for eight full days, long enough for them to get more pure oil.
What is a Dreidel?
A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top traditionally used during the Jewish festival of Chanukah. Each side features a Hebrew letter. The letters on the four sides are Nun, Gimmel, Hey, and Shin. The game has been played for centuries as a symbol of Jewish resilience and faith. The origins of the dreidel date back to the time when Israel was under the rule of King Antiochus and the Greek Empire, just before the Maccabees’ historic victory.
During this period, studying the Torah was outlawed.
In response, Jewish children would secretly gather to learn Torah. And if Greek soldiers approached, the children would quickly pull out their dreidels and pretend to be playing a game. Over time, the dreidel came to represent not just a game, but a clever and powerful tool of spiritual resistance.
How to Celebrate Chanukah?
Chanukah is a joyful holiday celebrated in many beautiful and meaningful ways.
In 2026, the first night of Chanukah begins on the evening of Thursday, December 3, and the final candle is lit on the evening of Thursday, December 10. The holiday ends at nightfall on Friday, December 11, 2026.
Here are some of the most cherished Chanukah traditions:
- Light the Menorah each night. This is the central mitzvah of Chanukah. On the first night, light one candle (plus the shamash). Add an additional candle each night until all eight are lit on the final night. Blessings are recited before lighting.
- Play the Dreidel. A fun and symbolic game for all ages.
- Give Chanukah gelt (money). It’s customary to give gifts of money to children and loved ones. It is important to then train the kids to give 10% of their money to charity.
- Enjoy traditional foods. Fried foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) remind us of the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.
- Join a Chanukah party. Whether with family, friends, or your local community, celebrating together adds joy and connection to the holiday.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, Chanukah is a time to spread light, joy, and faith.
Fun Trivia about Our Dreidel
Here are five fascinating details about our record-breaking dreidel:
- The project began in early August 2019 and took nearly four months to complete.
- The tip of the dreidel features a 4.20-carat round brilliant-cut diamond, graded VS2 clarity and certified by the GIA.
- The Hebrew letters on the dreidel are studded with a total of 222 round brilliant-cut diamonds.
- The main body of the dreidel is 10.8 cm tall and is crafted with 18k yellow gold and the Hebrew letters are crafted in 18k white gold.
- The design of the dreidel was inspired by the Chrysler Building, an Art Deco masterpiece that is located a mere few blocks from our jewelry showroom.
Contact Estate Diamond Jewelry
If you have any questions about our dreidel (or want more pictures), please contact us. You can also use this form for interviews and media-related questions.
