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Sotheby's has announced that the 555.55-carat black diamond is one of the largest to be auctioned. Aside from the stone’s caratage, it also has 55 facets and shaped like the Middle-Eastern palm symbol Khamsa which also means “five” in Arabic. Source: michael-bowles.com

Sotheby’s to auction 555.55-carat “extraterrestrial” black diamond

2.1 k views | Posted January 20, 2022 | By Richard Chiu

A 555.55-carat rare and “out of this world” black diamond will be placed on the auction block in London by Sotheby’s next month, which is expected to fetch around £5 million ($AU9.46 million).

The black diamond, named “The Enigma”, was unveiled in Dubai this week then moved on to Los Angeles as part of its exhibition tour before heading to London to be auctioned with online bidding scheduled for 3 to 9 February.

Sophie Stevens, jewellery specialist, Sotheby’s Dubai

“The shape of the diamond is based on the Middle-Eastern palm symbol of the Khamsa, which stands for strength and it stands for protection, so there’s a nice theme of the number five running throughout the diamond.”

Sophie Stevens, Sotheby's Dubai

According to Sophie Stevens, jewellery specialist, Sotheby’s Dubai told AP the significance of the stone to the number five is important and symbolic.

“So, there’s a nice theme of the number five running throughout the diamond,” she said, explaining that aside from the stone’s caratage, it also has 55 facets and shaped like the Middle-Eastern palm symbol Khamsa which also means “five” in Arabic.

The stone, which was classified as a carbonado diamond, traced its origins from outer space based on their carbon isotope properties and high hydrogen content.

Black diamonds are mostly found in Central Africa and Brazil, believed to have been formed 2.6 to 3.8 billion years ago.

“With the carbonado diamonds, we believe that they were formed through extraterrestrial origins, with meteorites colliding with the Earth and either forming chemical vapor disposition or indeed coming from the meteorites themselves,” Stevens added.

The Enigma diamond could sell for as much as US$6.8 million, with Sotheby's saying that they will also accept cryptocurrency payment. Source: michael-bowles.com

The Enigma's unique cut was inspired by the Khamsa, a Middle Eastern symbol of a hand meant to offer protection that is associated with the number five, which is reflected in both the diamond’s 555.55 carats and its 55-facet cut. Source: michael-bowles.com