Do you Bling?

Luxury water bottles for the high-end consumer
di Justine Levesque
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Bling H2o

In a world where all the rage is finding new and innovative ways to conserve water and reduce bottled water's impact on the earth's most precious resources, someone has come up with a new idea. That person is Kevin G. Boyd, a Hollywood writer and producer, who has introduced a newest product into the bottled water market: Bling H2O.

Boyd's inspiration for such a product evolved from the very nature of his career. Living in Hollywood, Boyd interacts with many celebrities. The world of Hollywood, Boyd notes, is dominated by image. It is considered to be one of the most important things a person can have. While working, Boyd noticed that people tend to flaunt whatever they can, including their bottled water. This notion gave him a great idea: give people a bottled water worth flaunting.

Established in 2005, Bling H2O became that bottled water worth flaunting. Its purpose is to make a defining statement, giving a normal product like bottled water an extraordinary look. The glass and plastic bottles feature a slim look encrusted in Swarovski crystals. Sixty hand-placed crystals form the name on the bottle. Boyd considers his product to be the couture of bottled water, a super-luxury item for a high-end client.

The spring water is bottled at Stoneclear Springs in Dandridge, Tennessee, USA and boasts a nine-step purification process including ozone, ultraviolet, and micro-filtration. In addition, the water is certified by NSF International, which is an independent organization that creates standards for food, water, air, and consumer goods. The water is said to be virtually nitrate and sodium free with minimal chlorides. There are about 100 milligrams per liter of Bicarbonate, which gives the water a slightly sweet taste.

As the water has expanded in popularity, so has its look grown. Some of the glass bottles, made in a shape reminiscent of a wine bottle, are colored in chrome or gold. Others are frosted glass with colored crystals ranging from red and pink to blue and purple. On the other hand, the plastic bottles are clear and have a variety of colored labels. The brand has grown to be so popular, Bling H2O even has retailing clothing and hats emblazoned with its logo.

Boyd's water was originally sold exclusively to athletes and other celebrities, but its market has recently expanded to those wishing to spend the money on a pricey bottle of water. The glass bottles run anywhere from $20 to $50 per 750ml bottle in American dollars, with a case of plastic bottles being $24. It is even available in Europe.

Bling H2O even has awards to show for itself. In 2006, the brand was awarded the «Clear Choice Award» in the noncarbonated beverage category. The Clear Choice awards program was designed in 1989 to honor consumer products that have chosen to use glass packaging in unique and innovative ways. It has also been featured on the MTV Music Awards and the Emmys.

Despite the hype, it remains to be seen if a single bottle of water is worth that much money to the average consumer. Taste tests have not proven the water tastes any better than a traditional water. Though it is typically sold in a reusable glass bottle, skeptics remain. They say the water is a waste of money and it is not trying to be truly sustainable.

Thus, the question of Bling H2O is left to consumers. Do you drink Bling?

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