From Jaws’ iconic metal teeth in “The Spy Who Loved Me” to Zao’s gem-encrusted visage in “Die Another Day,” James Bond villains are known for their distinctive styles.
Now, a jewelry store owner has adopted a striking appearance that could rival any of 007’s most notorious adversaries.
Slater Jones, aged 23, has incorporated a two-carat diamond into his custom-made prosthetic eye, an accessory he claims cost approximately $2 million (£1.45 million) to produce.
This extravagant creation likely earns Mr. Jones the title of having the world’s most valuable artificial eye.
Prosthetic expert John Imm, who crafted this extraordinary eye, shared on Instagram: “In my 32-year career, I’ve made about 10,000 artificial eyes for patients ranging from six weeks to 101 years old.”
“This particular artificial eye is unmatched in terms of material value,” he added.
‘That is a 2 carat diamond. Why not a three carat you ask? Well it wouldn’t fit.’
Mr Jones’s stunning artificial eye has gone viral on social media, with one commenter joking: ‘dude is kind of destined to be a Bond villain now.’
A jewellery store owner from Alabama has given himself an eye-catching look fit for a Bond villain after installing a two-carat diamond into his prosthetic eye
Mr Jones’ striking look would rival that of the gemstone-studded Bond villain Zao from Die Another Day (pictured)
Mr Jones says that he began to lose vision in his right eye at the age of 17 after developing a toxoplasmosis infection.
After multiple surgeries, it became clear that the eye could not be saved and would need to be removed.
However, to ensure that this new eye would suit his career as a jewellery designer, Mr Jones decided to design his own unique prosthetic.
The result is an eye with a natural diamond iris that shines brilliantly in the light.
The prosthetic’s creator, John Imm, wrote on X: ‘I collaborated with this patient “Slater” who makes jewellery to make him an artificial eye with a diamond iris.
‘Certainly the most valuable prosthetic eye in the world. He is “rocking” it.’
Speaking about his unusual accessory, Mr Jones said: ‘I lost my eye, but it brought new light into my life.’
Mr Jones has not been shy about his new super-villain-like appearance.
Slater Jones, 23, lost vision in his right eye after contracting a toxoplasmosis infection at the age of 17. When it became clear that the eye needed to be removed, Mr Jones decided to design a prosthetic that suited his career as diamond setter
The prosthetic eye includes a large diamond in the iris and cost around $2 million ($1.45 million) to create, according to Mr Jones
Now referring to himself as ‘Diamond Eye’, he uses his striking appearance as a unique selling point with posts on Instagram featuring captions like: ‘If your jeweller don’t have a diamond eye I don’t want to see him.’
On social media, fans have flocked to share their amazement over the stunning piece of ocular jewellery.
One commenter wrote: ‘Bruh you look like a James Bond Villain.’
Another wrote: ‘So beautiful great job!’
‘Hardest prosthetic I’ve ever seen,’ chimed in another.
One social media user even joked: ‘I’d give an eye to have one of those.’
Some social media users even praised Mr Jones for how he has been able to turn the loss of his eye into an opportunity to promote his business.
A commenter wrote: ‘Bro is only 22 years old just starting in the jewelry game and was able to turn a huge setback into something as cool as this.’
The eye was created in collaboration with prosthetic expert John Imm (left), who says it is likey the most expensive artificial eye in existence
However, some commenters did question the safety of walking around with over a million dollars’ worth of gemstones in your eye socket.
One commenter added: ‘All fun and games until somebody jacks you for your bejewelled eyeball.’
‘I guess that’s one way to lose an eye in a stabbing incident,’ another added.
While another asked: ‘Shouldn’t you be careful every time you go outside?’
HOW DO SCIENTISTS ‘GROW’ DIAMONDS IN A LABORATORY?
Diamonds fetch their lofty price tags because they form over millions of years under high pressures and temperatures deep within the Earth’s crust.
But a number of companies are now growing the gems in laboratories across the world, threatening to shake up the diamond industry.
A small ‘seed’ diamond acts as a scaffolding for the process.
Scientists first place this seed into a vacuum chamber to remove impurities from the air.
Lab-made gems are threatening to upset the diamond industry, with several companies worldwide now growing the stones for jewellery. In this image Pure Grown Diamonds CEO Lisa Bissell unveils a lab-cultivated diamond in New York in 2015
They then funnel hydrogen and methane gas heat to 3,000°C (5,400°F) into the chamber to create a highly charged gas known as plasma.
The gases rapidly break apart, releasing carbon atoms from the methane that collected on the diamond ‘seed’.
These atoms naturally copy the crystal structure of organic diamond, which is also made up of carbon atoms.
Each artificial stone grows at a rate of around 0.0002 inches (0.006mm) an hour.
