At Sotheyby’s in the Dubai International Financial Centre, a 555-carat black diamond thought to be billions of years old is on display. A meteorite colliding with the earth between 2.6 and 3.8 billion years ago is thought to have created the world’s largest Fancy Black Natural Color diamond. The Engima is expected to sell for at least $7 million when it goes on the market in February.
The diamond will be on exhibit until Thursday, after which it will be transported to Los Angeles. The diamond has close links to the Middle East. The diamond’s shape is inspired by the Middle Eastern palm symbol of the Khamsa, which represents strength and protection. In Arabic, Khamsa means five.
'The Enigma' – a treasure from interstellar space and the largest faceted diamond to ever come to auction is unveiled today in Sotheby's Dubai https://t.co/1nyUAsTe8j #SothebysDiamonds #blackdiamond #SothebysJewels pic.twitter.com/s713AVo14c
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) January 17, 2022
“Carbonado black diamonds are exceptionally old,” Sophie Stevens, jewellery specialist at Sotheby’s Dubai, told The National. “We date them to approximately 2.6 to 3.8 billion years old and we believe they have extraterrestrial origins.
“Because black diamonds haven’t been seen on the market frequently, there are very few past examples at auction. So it’s a good idea to let the market decide and it will be interesting to see what the current demand is. One of the last ones at auction was in 2001 and it was a much smaller stone at 33 carats, while this one is 555.55,” says Stevens.
