A treasure from interstellar space, “The Enigma”, weighing 555.55 carats, is an exquisite and extremely rare black diamond. The largest Fancy Black Natural Colour diamond in the world, reported by Gubelin and the GIA as of 2004, it was listed as the largest cut diamond in the world in the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records. To have a natural faceted black diamond of this size is an extremely rare occurrence and its origins are shrouded in mystery – thought to have been created either from a meteoric impact or having emerged from a diamond-bearing asteroid that collided with Earth.
Courtesy Sotheby’s
The design of the diamond is imbued with significance, its shape inspired by the Middle Eastern palm-shaped symbol, the Hamsa – a sign of protection, power and strength. The Hamsa is associated with the number five, which is imbued with symbolic meaning, and the diamond is not only 555.55 carats in size, but it also contains exactly 55 facets – a technical feat for one of the toughest diamonds in existence.
Previously unseen on the market, and never before exhibited to the public, “The Enigma” will now be the star of a dedicated auction, open for bidding online from 3-9 February. Cryptocurrency will be accepted as payment on the diamond, in a move that reflects the fact that cryptocurrency has started to make its mark in the world of physical art and objects. Sotheby’s leads the way in the jewellery market, and last year The Key 10138 diamond – another rare treasure – was purchased with cryptocurrency for a record price. This diamond will be offered ‘without reserve’, meaning that the winning bid is the highest bid, regardless of its amount or the intrinsic value of the diamond itself.
Prior to the auction, the diamond will be exhibited in Dubai, Los Angeles and London.
Carbonado Diamonds
Dating from around 2.6 to 3.8 billion years ago, carbonado black diamonds are an extremely rare natural occurrence, containing traces of nitrogen and hydrogen abundant in interstellar space, as well as osbornite, a mineral uniquely present in meteors. Only known to exist in Brazil and The Central Republic of Africa – two regions which were once connected as part of the supercontinent, Rodinia, and an area believed to have been struck by meteorites, the exclusive presence of carbonados in these locations adds further weight to the theory that these stones are indeed treasures originating from interstellar space.
One of the hardest materials known to man and near impossible to cut and polish, diamonds with a black coloration have typically been reserved for industrial uses, with gem-quality natural coloured stones being extremely scarce on the market. The Enigma – a natural faceted stone of record-breaking size and quality is therefore truly unique, marking an important moment for black diamonds at auction.
