DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Auction house Sotheby’s Dubai has unveiled a diamond that’s literally from out of this world.
Sotheby’s calls the 555.55-carat black diamond — believed to have come from outer space — “The Enigma.”
Sotheby’s expects the world’s largest known cut diamond to be sold for at least 5 million British pounds ($6.8 million).
The rare gem was shown off on Monday to journalists as part of a tour in Dubai and Los Angeles before it is due to be auctioned off in February in London.
Black diamonds, also known as carbonado, are extremely rare, and are found naturally only in Brazil and Central Africa.
The black diamond is likely from outer space.
The cosmic origin theory is based on their carbon isotopes and high hydrogen content.
The diamond is believed to have been created when a meteorite or an asteroid hit the Earth more than 2.6 billion years ago, according to Sotheby’s auction house jewellery specialist Sophie Stevens.
One of the most difficult substances to cut, the 555.55-carat diamond has never been shown by its unnamed owner of the past 20 years, but experts turned it into a 55-face jewel.
Its shape was inspired by the Middle East palm-shaped symbol of power and protection, the Hamsa, which is also associated with the number five.
It holds a Guinness World Record as the largest cut diamond.
After being on show in Dubai “The Enigma” will also be taken to Los Angeles and London, before a seven-day online auction starts on Feb. 3.
What Sotheby’s called a “cosmic wonder” could very well go to a bitcoin bidder, Stevens said.
The auction house plans to accept cryptocurrency as a possible payment as well.
Last year in Hong Kong, the “Key 10138” diamond sold for $12.3 million, which was paid in cryptocurrency.
Sources: AP News, Daily Sabah 18/01/2022
Last Updated on 18.01.2022 by iskova