The 2012 World Series of Poker is officially under way at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the 43rd Annual World Series of Poker (WSOP), famed celebrity jewelry designer Jason Arasheben, “Jason of Beverly Hills” had the honor to create championship bracelet for the main event winner Friday night. Set in 170 grams of 14-carat gold and adorned with over 35 carats of diamonds, this bracelet is the most expensive championship adornment to be offered in any professional sport.
“Every jeweler gets to design earrings and necklaces and bracelets, but this is the chance to do a piece that really means something,” said Jason Arasheben, president of Jason of Beverly Hills. “I wanted to pay tribute to Las Vegas, because I have a store here. They don’t have a professional basketball or football team, but what says Vegas more than the World Series of Poker?”
The winner of the main event will wear the bracelet as well as take home from $7 million to $8 million in prize money. The WSOP will hand out 60 other bracelets for events that begin Sunday at the Rio.
“This bracelet is worth more than all the other 60 first-place bracelets combined,” said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. “Think of it, over 10 days the winner will earn more than (NFL quarterback) Tom Brady earns in a year.”
Jason of Beverly Hills has formerly worked with both sports stars and celebrities, including Justin Bieber, Kate Perry, Rihanna and P Diddy. He is also behind the design of two world championship rings for the Los Angeles Lakers, among many others projects in recent years. But, this is the first time the designer works to produce a poker trophy.
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