The bathtub that costs $1 million

Bask in ultimate bliss with the most opulent bath the world has to offer. Carved from Amazonian crystal it could be yours, if you have a spare $1 million that is.

It turns out that money really can buy you anything, even a huge crystal bathtub. The luxury Italian design company Baldi Home Jewels created these incredible opulent tubs that cost up to $1 million (£760,000) each, and they are headed for one of the most exclusive new property developments in the Middle East. 

All of the precious stones used for the baths were sourced right from the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, from a 10 ton (23,000 lb) chunk of rock crystal. 

The raw material was then split and taken to Florence, Italy to be carved by hand over hundreds of back-breaking hours to create the smooth interior surface. Hardly the most ethical piece of homeware, we have to say. 

The super-exclusive tubs come in three variations: green quartz; rock crystal; and rose quartz, so there's something to suit even the fussiest of millionaires. Baldi has even created a one-off bath for the billionaire socialite Tamara Ecclestone, decorated with diamonds and gold taps.

With enough room for three people, the large shallow designs measure six feet in length and stand at just two feet tall.

Crystal is known for being one of the most powerful healing stones and is said to have energy-enhancing properties that can also help with emotional trauma. It turns out it's not just a glamorous accessory after all.  

So where can you bathe in one of these unusual designs? If you have a few million dollars to spare, you can head to the XXII Carat Villa complex in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Anton Yachmenev, managing director of Forum Group, told Forbes.com: “The residents will be among the first in the world to bathe in these remarkable tubs and enjoy the truly unique, magical and luxurious experience.”

The extravagant gated community has 22 villas, each complete with imported marble flooring, a 25-meter swimming pool and, in the most expensive properties, a crystal bathtub.

Despite the fact that the villas start at $10 million (£7.6m), with the most expensive coming in at $25 million (£19.1m), there’s no shortage of interest. Many of the properties have already been sold to buyers from Russia, Europe and China.