Cardi B can officially stop worrying about her missing Hermès Birkin bag, which could potentially be worth tens of thousands of dollars. After revealing that she had lost her beloved designer accessory, the Grammy-winning rapper shared some good news Thursday night, confirming that the handbag had been located.
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The update came on October 15, when Cardi posted a screenshot of a text conversation with someone who revealed that the missing bag had been found in “KOLLIN’S STUDIO.” The message appeared to reference the studio of Kollin Carter, Cardi’s longtime celebrity stylist.
The discovery brought a happy ending to what could have been an extremely expensive mistake. Research into comparable Hermès handbags suggests that similar two-tone Birkins have carried resale asking prices between $32,500 and $38,500.
Before the discovery, Cardi had expressed frustration over the disappearance of her handbag after a fan resurfaced a video of her carrying the brown-and-cream Birkin, affectionately referred to as “Esmeralda.”
Cardi responded with some disappointing news.
“I fuvkin lost her ….its the only bag missing …I think I left her in a hotel and I’m so sad about it”
While Cardi did not disclose the bag’s original purchase price, the video provides clues about its potential value. The handbag features a rich brown leather exterior, contrasting cream detailing, and gold-tone hardware, a combination resembling several high-priced Hermès designs circulating through luxury resale platforms.
One particularly close comparison comes from luxury retailer Madison Avenue Couture, which listed a Hermès Special Order Birkin 25 in Gold and Craie Togo leather with gold hardware for $32,500. The handbag features two contrasting neutral shades, along with the French fashion house’s recognizable straps and closure.
Another Gold and Craie Birkin 25 with brushed gold hardware was advertised for $34,500. Other examples featuring the same color combination have appeared with asking prices reaching $38,500.
Even larger versions can command impressive amounts. Madison Avenue Couture previously advertised a special-order Birkin 30 in Craie and Gold Epsom leather with brushed gold hardware for $34,500.
These listings are not proof of Cardi’s bag’s exact value. Her handbag’s size, production year, leather type, condition, and whether it was specially ordered have not been independently verified. However, the comparable designs demonstrate why losing a Birkin can become an expensive situation.
There is also a substantial difference between what a customer originally pays Hermès and what collectors are willing to spend afterward.
According to Sotheby’s 2026 pricing guide, a standard Birkin 25 in Togo leather retails for approximately $13,500 in the United States, while the Birkin 30 costs around $14,900. On the secondary market, particularly desirable colors and limited configurations can sell for significantly higher amounts.
Sotheby’s reports that classic leather Birkins generally occupy a resale price range of $15,000 to $40,000, while exotic leather versions can exceed $200,000.
A legitimate owner selling a comparable Birkin for $32,500 through Sotheby’s Marketplace could receive approximately $26,000 after a hypothetical 20% seller commission. At a $38,500 sale price, the payout would increase to approximately $30,800.
Those calculations assume the handbag sells for its full asking price. They are hypothetical estimates, not confirmed offers or proceeds from completed sales.
Other luxury resale companies have different payment structures. Fashionphile, for example, advertises a consignment model allowing sellers to retain 70% of the first $3,000 and 85% of the selling price above that threshold.
Using that fee structure, a legally owned handbag selling for $32,500 could generate approximately $27,175 for its consignor. A $38,500 sale could produce about $32,275 before any other applicable charges.
Of course, those potential payouts apply to someone legally entitled to sell the handbag. Finding another person’s lost Birkin does not automatically transfer ownership, and attempting to sell property belonging to someone else can create legal consequences.
For Cardi, the financial aspect is only part of the story.
The Bronx rapper has spent years building one of hip-hop’s most recognizable Hermès collections. In 2024, she gave fans another look inside her impressive handbag closet, which included rare crocodile Birkins, colorful limited designs, and accessories valued at six figures.
Among her most notable pieces are a Himalaya Birkin, a style that can command more than $300,000 on the secondary market, and a rare Birkin Cargo bag previously associated with a price approaching $240,000.
Her collection has continued expanding. In 2026, Cardi displayed another designer handbag haul that included expensive Chanel purchases and exotic Hermès styles, one of which was estimated at more than $44,000.
That makes her emotional attachment to Esmeralda particularly interesting. Despite owning bags considerably more expensive than the brown-and-cream design, Cardi singled out this particular accessory as the only one she could not find.
Fortunately, the five-figure handbag was located before Cardi had to consider replacing it. What she initially believed was a costly hotel mishap ended with the discovery of Esmeralda in a studio connected to her fashion circle.
And considering similar Birkins can carry price tags approaching $40,000, finding the handbag was certainly better than having to purchase another one.