The Top 6 Most Expensive Hermès Birkin Bags (2024)

Learn All About the Most Expensive Hermès Birkin Bags

The Hermès Birkin bag is an iconic bag named after the actress Jane Birkin. It has been reinvented many times since it was first introduced to the public in the 1980s. The Hermès bag’s classic elements include two rolled handles, a flap top, a touret, a clochette, and four clou “feet”. Read on to discover the rarest and most expensive Birkin bags.

Birkin 20 Matte Alligator

Released in 2023, the newest edition to the most expensive Birkins is the Birkin 20 in Matte Alligator. The first one to appear at auction was in Sotheby's October 2023 Hong Kong sale. The Birkin 20 in Vert D’eau Matte Alligator in more structured Sellier with Gold Hardware sold for 889,000 HKD or $115,570. As more of these bags come to the secondary market, we could see prices settle lower but anticipate demand will remain strong for the next 6-12 months. While the shape size and sellier structure is similar to the Faubourg, the body of the bag is unadorned.

Birkin Himalaya: An Homage to Majesty

The Himalaya Birkin comes both with and without diamonds. The Diamond Himalaya is infamous for being the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction. In 2022, Sotheby's sold a Diamond Himalaya Birkin 30 for over $450,000 USD. It is constructed out of Niloticus crocodile skin dyed in a white and grey gradient. The unique coloring of the Hermès bag is intended to evoke the white-capped peaks of the Himalaya Mountains. This coloring pairs perfectly with 18-karat white gold hardware, which is itself studded with white diamonds. The cadena lock alone is comprised of 68.4 grams of 18-karat white gold and encrusted with 40 white round brilliant diamonds, totaling 1.64 carats. On the bag, three different structural elements of the Birkin—the Touret, the Pontets, and the Plaques de Sanglons—feature more than 200 diamonds for a total of 8.2 carats. These precious materials enhance the exquisite coloring of the crocodile. Celebrated for their artistry, Himalaya Birkins are a rare find for collectors and are in high demand with or without diamonds. Himalaya Birkins generally sell at higher prices in the secondary market than other crocodile Birkin bags depending on the condition and age of the bag. In 2021, the Himalaya Birkin 25 was the most sought after size and sold for over $300,000 at Sotheby's. In 2023, prices for the most desirable Himalaya Birkin 25 in store fresh condition is around $200,000. Birkin 30 Himalaya has been selling closer to $150,000 in similar condition while older bags with more noticeable wear are selling closer to $100,000.

Diamond Birkin: The Epitome of Luxury


The glamorous Diamond Birkin bag is a favorite of Hermès fanatics. It is the sister of the Diamond Birkin Himalyan, differing only in the treatment of the exotic skin. A true collectors item, this Hermès bag features crocodile skin paired with diamond-encrusted white gold hardware. These bags have been made in classic Birkin sizes 25, 30, 35, and 40 centimeters. Diamond Birkins come in an assortment of colors including pink, red, brown, black, and many more of Hermès’ countless colors. Diamond Birkins range in price depending on the size and color of the bag. Sotheby's has seen secondary market prices range from $100,000-$200,000 for Diamond Birkin bags (excluding Diamond Himalaya).

Birkin Faubourg: A Celebration of Hermès’ History


The Hermès Faubourg Birkin is one of the most sought-after limited edition Birkin bags. This Birkin was released in 2019 as an homage to the Hermès storefront on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. Hermès CEO Charles-Émile Hermès relocated the brand’s flagship store to the iconic street in 1880, where it has remained ever since. The Hermès handbag features three windows with orange awnings, a shopping bag clochette, a matte alligator skin top flap, and alligator skin handles. This tiny 20 centimeter Birkin was originally was released in Brown (Day) and Blue (Night). In 2021, two additional versions were released in White (Snow) and Black (Midnight). The white, or Snow Birkin Faubourg is the most expensive Faubourg color with one selling for just over $300,000 in 2022. Recently a Midnight black Birkin Faubourg sold for just over $160,000 in our Paris Auction in September 2023.

Birkin Ombré: An Elegant Collectable


The Ombré Birkin is an extremely rare find thanks to its lizard skin composition. This Hermès bag has sold for $137,500 at Sotheby’s in 2020 but prices have drifted lower since this peak. An older bag can be purchased for closer to $40,000 and it is possible to get a store fresh bag for closer to $80,000. The skin itself features a mesmerizing symmetrical pattern that captivates collectors of rare handbags and other luxury items. Ombré Birkins are typically made with palladium hardware and feature a lock and clochette also covered in lizard skin. Hermès craftsmen produce a wearable work of art by bringing out the natural coloring and texture of the lizard. Lizard skin bags are restricted by the small size of the skins. As a result, the Ombré Birkin usually comes in 25 centimeters.

Birkin Metallic: A Beautiful Piece of Art


Hermès’ Metallic Birkin bag is a limited edition Birkin released in 2005. This luxurious handbag comes in both silver and bronze. The Metallic Birkin is a smaller bag, measuring 25 centimeters across the base. The silver Birkin is accented with palladium hardware while the bronze Birkin is accented with gold hardware. The bag’s design draws its inspiration from window displays designed by Leïla Menchari for the Hermès Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré storefront. In order to produce the metallic pigmentation, Hermès artisans must add so much dye to the leather that the leather’s texture changes. Sotheby's has sold four metallic Birkins. The most expensive Metallic Silver Hermès Birkin 25 sold for 1,071,000 HKD or $139,230 in April 2022. Not surprisingly the Metallic Birkin 25 bags have sold for more then the Metallic Birkin 30 bags. The Metallic Silver Birkin 30 sold for 508,000 HKD or $66,040

  1. The Top 6 Most Expensive Hermès Birkin Bags (9)

Bonus Jewelry Birkin: Sac Bijou Birkin

In 2012, Hermès unveiled a stunning collection of handbag-inspired jewelry from the Haute Bijouterie Collection. This collection was designed by Pierre Hardy, the creative director of fine jewelry at Hermès. One of the most stunning pieces from the collection was the Sac Bijou Birkin, priced around $2 million USD. This Hermès bag is crafted from rose gold inlaid with 2,712 diamonds. The miniaturized Birkin is fully functional and intended to be worn as a bracelet. The Hermès bag’s top flap is textured to imitate crocodile skin while diamonds cover the piece’s body, top handles, touret, cadena lock, and clochette. There are only three diamond Sac Bijou Birkin’s in existence, making the item exceptionally rare. In 2019, the Sac Bijou Birkin was re-released with black garnets and spinels -- an edgier take on the white diamond-crusted original.

Hermès Birkin Bags Available to Buy Now

Type: retailHermès Beige Marfa Togo Birkin 30 Gold Hardware, 2024 28,540 USD
Type: retailHermès Black Madame Birkin 30 Sellier Gold Hardware, 2024 30,000 USD
Type: retailHermès Etoupe Togo Birkin 30 Gold Hardware, 2023 29,000 USD
Type: retailHermès Gris Misty Epsom Birkin 25 Sellier Permabrass Hardware, 2024 29,500 USD
Type: retailHermès Etoupe Togo Birkin 25 Gold Hardware, 2024 31,570 USD
Type: retailHermès Bleu de Prusse Epsom Sellier Birkin 25 Gold Hardware, 2024 31,250 USD
Type: retailHermès Nata Shadow Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2023 38,000 USD
Type: retailHermès Etoupe Tadelakt Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2020 21,600 USD
Type: retailHermès Caban Swift and Bleu Zellige and Ecru and Black Toile Verso Quadrille Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2023 30,000 USD
Type: retailHermès Gris Pearl Togo Birkin 25 Gold Hardware, 2021 29,500 USD
Type: retailHermès Black Epsom Birkin 30 Gold Hardware, 2019 28,000 USD
Type: retailHermès Gris Neve Togo Birkin 25 Gold Hardware, 2023 25,050 USD
Type: retailHermès Jaune D'Or and Etain Bi-Color Epsom HSS Birkin 25 Gold Hardware, 2017 31,500 USD
Type: retailHermès Gold Togo Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2021 30,000 USD
Type: retailHermès Nata Swift Ecru Toile Birkin 30 Palladium Hardware, 2023 27,500 USD
Type: retailHermès Nata Swift and Ecru Toile Quadrille Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2023 27,500 USD
Type: retailHermès Black Matte Alligator Birkin 35 Gold Hardware, 2003 48,000 USD
Type: retailHermès Gris Meyer Madame Birkin 30 Sellier Gold Hardware, 2024 31,500 USD
Type: retailHermès Gris Perle Togo Birkin 30 Palladium Hardware, 2021 26,000 USD
Type: retailHermès Black Togo Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2018 27,500 USD

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About the Author

  • Lucy Bishop

    Lucy is a Handbags and Fashion Specialist at Sotheby's.

The Top 6 Most Expensive Hermès Birkin Bags (2024)

FAQs

Which is the most expensive Birkin? ›

Hermès Sac Bijou Birkin Bag: £1.5M+

Also designed by Pierre Hardy, this is the most expensive Birkin bag ever created by Hermès. Priced at around $2 million, this Hermès bag is crafted from rose gold, inlaid with 2,712 diamonds. It's also fully functional and designed to be worn as a bracelet.

Who owns the rarest Birkin? ›

Who owns the rarest Birkin? The rarest Birkin bag is the Himalayan Birkin, which Jamie Chua unsurprisingly also owns. The rarity of Hermès bags also keeps the demand for them high too.

What is the most sought after Birkin size? ›

While it took some time for this new mini Birkin size to gain in popularity, the Birkin 25 is now the most sought after size. The Birkin 25 is the smallest standard Birkin and measures 25 cm across the top. The Birkin 25 is the most popular size in Asia.

Why is Birkin 25 so expensive? ›

In the last few years, the smaller Birkin 25 bag has been in much higher demand, so this size is generally more expensive than a Birkin 30, Birkin 35 or Birkin 40. There are fewer Birkin 25 bags in the secondary market, which also influences the price.

How many Birkins does Kim Kardashian have? ›

Her collection includes designs from Louis Vuitton to Valentino and everything in between. A girl after our own heart, Kim is a huge fan of the Hermes Birkin and is thought to own over 30.

Can just anyone buy a Birkin? ›

Normally, they're not openly showcased to the public, so you can't simply waltz into a store and buy one off the shelf. Instead, it's rumoured that securing a Birkin usually involves having a relationship with a Hermès sales associate, which could potentially take some time and a lot of patience.

How many Birkin bags can you buy? ›

What is the Quota System? Hermès maintains its exclusivity and rarity by employing a quota system, limiting the number of “quota bags” that any one customer can buy to just two per year. Which Bags are Quota Bags? All Hermès stores include Birkin and Kelly including the Mini Kelly II, as quota bags.

How long will a Birkin last? ›

With proper love and care, your relationship with it is one that can last a lifetime - or more. Kept in great condition, its value can also be preserved and even enhanced over time, should you ever want to resell it or pass on to future generations.

Does a Birkin lose value? ›

Birkin bags can double in value in 5 years — some styles up to $450K — and are a better investment than gold: luxury expert. Hermès' highly coveted Birkin handbag becomes even more coveted after it leaves the store — doubling in value in as little as five years, according to a luxury expert.

Is Birkin cheaper than Kelly? ›

Is the Birkin bag more expensive than the Kelly handbag? The Kelly and Birkin bags will both set you back a small fortune. The Birkin handbag does tend to be a little bit more expensive than a Kelly bag. This does depend on a lot of factors, like the leather, colour, hardware and the year of production of the bag.

How much should I pay for a Birkin? ›

To sum up, the Hermès Birkin bag, with its rich history, iconic status, and high quality, stands as an emblem of luxury and exclusivity. Its price, influenced by factors such as materials, craftsmanship, size, color, rarity, and its condition, can range from $12,000 to a staggering $200,000.

Who owns the most expensive Birkin bag? ›

All about the 'world's most expensive' Himalayan Birkin bag, owned by Jennifer Lopez and Kim K. Crafted from Nile crocodile hide and custom-colored to achieve its distinctive gradation, the Hermès Himalaya Birkin is the holy grail for any handbag collector — but scoring one might be tougher than summiting Mount Everest ...

What is the current price of a Birkin? ›

Birkin bags range from $10,400 to $2 million.

Which is expensive Kelly or Birkin? ›

Is the Birkin bag more expensive than the Kelly handbag? The Kelly and Birkin bags will both set you back a small fortune. The Birkin handbag does tend to be a little bit more expensive than a Kelly bag. This does depend on a lot of factors, like the leather, colour, hardware and the year of production of the bag.

Is Birkin more expensive than Chanel? ›

Hermès vs Chanel: Prices

Both Hermès and Chanel's starting prices for bags are in the thousands of dollars, with Chanel's most affordable offering at $1,700. Hermès prices are overall higher, with Birkin prices starting at over $9,000.

What is the most expensive Birkin bag Kim Kardashian? ›

Kim Kardashian was seen carrying the Hermès Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Birkin handbag valued at over $100,000 and estimated to be worth an astonishing $380,000. The ultra-rare Hermès bag, also owned by Jennifer Lopez, is considered the holy grail of handbags due to its exclusivity.

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