Nordstrom is selling a leather-wrapped $85 rock, for the stone snob in your life

At last: a gift for the person who has everything, but still wants something useless.

Nordstrom is selling what’s essentially an $85 rock — or a “Medium Leather Wrapped Stone” — for the spendthrift shopper seeking to upgrade an aging Pet Rock.

“A paperweight? A conversation piece? A work of art? It’s up to you, but this smooth Los Angeles-area stone — wrapped in rich, vegetable-tanned American leather secured by sturdy contrast whipstitching — is sure to draw attention wherever it rests,” reads a product description that seems unsure of what purpose, exactly, the pricey pebble serves.

The “Los Angeles-area stone” is clad in leather “cut, shaped, sewn and finished by hand” by Los Angeles-area artist Peter Maxwell, owner of the leather-goods company Made Solid. Two of the four rock varieties available on the company’s online store are currently sold out.

And there’s a silver lining for bargain hunters or those simply unprepared to commit to an $85 rock: Nordstrom sells the vastly more affordable “Small Leather Wrapped Stone” for just $65.

 

The hefty pricetag stems from the expensive Hermann Oak leather and a labor-intensive creative process, which employs a traditional saddle-making technique, Maxwell told the Daily News. 

"I get it. I totally get it," he said of the incredulous internet reaction. "It’s not a frivolous item that we decided to (make) cheap and put it out for a high price ... It’s something that reflects a pretty long tradition of leather work on a small scale."

"Honestly, they’ve been one of our most popular consistently over the last couple of years," Maxwell added.

Product reviews, however, have been less than charitable.

“As a single mother, it is often difficult to put food on the table for my 5 children. However, when I saw this piece of rock, I couldn’t help it but to purchase this item,” wrote SingleMotherCo. “Yes, no one in my family will eat this month, however I have a piece of rock. The leather pouch wrapping the rock is just added bonus. I can’t believe the rock is made by hand too!”

“rock make all grak friend jealous best rock in village. rock work for hitting things. rock look nice in pouch to wear for hunt or night out with mrs grak. rock cost much but grak get what grak pay for,” added grakk.

Pro tip: $85 is also the cost of a five-year TSA PreCheck membership, which allows you to whiz through the airport security line without hassling with your shoes, liquids and laptop. Now there’s an investment that rocks.