James Allen News Center

A Kazakhstan-based bank is teaming up with MasterCard to present the "Diamond," a credit card encrusted with a 0.02 carat center diamond.

The card will be issued by Kazkommertsbank, the second-largest bank in Kazakhstan, and is targeted at the rapidly-increasing number of billionaires in this Central Asian country.  Kazakhstan is in rich natural resources – including fossil fuels, uranium and diamonds – and is quickly becoming one of Central Asia`s wealthiest nations. 

In addition to the center diamond, the exclusive credit card is laced with gold.  The men`s version features an image of a winged horse, and the women`s version features the image of a peacock. 

Alla Voyakina, head of Kazkommertsbank international payments systems, said that the bank intends to target "the best VIP customers." Speaking about the "Diamond," she added that "it`s a question of prestige to have them in your wallet."

Only 1,000 cards will be issued at a limit of 30 per month.  Each card comes with a $1,000 USD annual fee and a $50,000 limit, in addition to a 24-hour personal credit manager. 

This exclusive credit card isn`t the first to feature diamonds and gold: in July, Dubai First and MasterCard announced the "Royale," an elegant black card, fringed with gold and inlaid with a center diamond.  The Royale comes with "exclusive lifestyle management" and a "personal relationship manager." 

Interested?  Don`t get too excited: the Royale is by invitation only.