A 555.55-carat black diamond named “The Enigma”, thought to be from outer space, will be auctioned in London next month by Sotheby’s.
The rare gem that is also known as a carbonado diamond is expected to be sold for at least US$6.8mln, said Sotheby’s, with cryptocurrency likely to be accepted as payment.
The number five is of huge importance to the diamond, which also has 55 facets, said Sophie Stevens, a jewellery specialist at Sotheby’s Dubai.
“The shape of the diamond is based on the Middle-Eastern palm symbol of the Khamsa, [which means five in Arabic and] stands for strength and protection,” she told the Associated Press.
Black diamonds are naturally only found in Brazil and Central Africa, but The Enigma is thought to have originated from someplace beyond Earth.
“We believe that they were formed through extra-terrestrial origins, with meteorites colliding with the Earth and either forming chemical vapour disposition or indeed coming from the meteorites themselves,” Stevens added.
The carbonado was displayed to journalists as part of a tour in Dubai and Los Angeles on Monday.