Among the countless gifts from foreign leaders to US President Joe Biden and his family in 2023 is a $20,000 diamond, the single most expensive gift given to First Lady Jill Biden by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Had met Modi.

A 7.5-carat diamond was the most expensive gift gifted to any member of the first family in 2023, according to the State Department’s recently published annual accounting report, The Associated Press reports.

While the giant rock stood out, it wasn’t the only gift Jill received. She also received a brooch worth $14,063 from the ambassador of Ukraine to the United States and a bracelet, brooch and photo album worth $4,510 from the president and first lady of Egypt.

in fact, President Biden He received several expensive gifts himself, including a $7,100 commemorative photo album of recently impeached South Korean President Seok Yool-yeon.

He received a $3,495 statue of a Mongol warrior from the Prime Minister of Mongolia, a $3,300 silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei, a $3,160 sterling silver tray from the Israeli president, and a $3,160 sterling silver tray from the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. A collage worth $2,400 was also presented.

Under US federal law, executive branch officials are required to declare gifts received from foreign leaders and counterparts with an estimated value of more than $480.

The diamond will be handed over to the archives.

Although most gifts that touch this value threshold are relatively modest, the most expensive gifts are, though not always, transferred to the National Archives or put on official display.

Notably, the $20,000 diamond presented by the Indian prime minister was kept for official use in the East Wing of the White House, while other gifts were sent to the archives, the State Department document shows.

Jill Biden spokeswoman Vanessa Valdivia was quoted as saying the diamond will be turned over to the archives when Biden leaves office later this month. However, he did not say what the diamond is being used for so far.

Although rarely used, there is also an option for gift recipients to purchase gifts from the US government at market value.

Citing the State Department’s Office of Protocol, the news agency reported that several CIA officials also reported receiving lavish gifts, including watches, perfumes and jewelry, almost all of which were destroyed. The total value of these damaged gifts was over $132,000.

A foreign source, whose identity remains confidential, gifted CIA Director William Burns with an $18,000 astrograph. The Astrograph is a telescope and astrological camera and the gift will be transferred to the General Services Administration. Additionally, Burns reported receiving and destroying an Omega watch worth $11,000, an act that several other people also did with their expensive timepieces.

Below the rank of director, other CIA employees who reported receiving gifts have not been identified. But the AP reported that they included an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra watch, a women’s Omega Constellation watch, a diamond necklace, an earring bracelet, and a ring valued at $65,100.

All of these gifts were destroyed along with $30,000 worth of women’s jewelry that a CIA employee had received from a Libyan jeweler, AI Grew, the Office of Protocol reported. The set consisted of a necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings.

Another federal agency employee was gifted a men’s Yachtmaster II Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch valued at $18,700, while a separate record shows a women’s Rolex Oyster Datejust watch valued at $12,500. Another person received a $7,450 Rolex Air King timepiece. The State Department list said all three watches were destroyed.

A collection of luxury products, Amouage Perfume, valued at $10,670 was also received by one employee. But the gift has yet to be destroyed, the AP reported, citing a State Department list.

(with AP input)