Black carbonado diamonds are among therarest gems on Earth , and a 555 - carat specimen going to auction in February is specially notable . As theAssociated Press report , " The Enigma " diamond is propose to be from outer space , though some expert are questioning its source story .
Sotheby ’s require to sell the arresting jewel for at least £ 5 million , or $ 6.8 million USD , at its London auction firm next month . The Enigma will go on a closet tour before hitting the auction city block , earn stops in Dubai and Los Angeles .
The shape of the diamond is modeled after the Khamsa , a in-between Eastern symbol of military capability and trade protection that meansfivein Arabic . The theme of five is reflected in the stone ’s 55 facet and its weight of 555.55 kt .
Carbonado infield are find in Brazil and the Central African Republic , but some start from much farther aside . A pressure departure from Sotheby ’s [ PDF ] posit that The Enigma is " thought to have been create either from a meteoric impact or having actually emerged from a diamond - bearing asteroid that clash with Earth . "
The equatorial country of Brazil and the Central African Republic were once part of Rodinia , a supercontinent believed to have been battered by meteorites millions of years ago . Sotheby ’s mention this as grounds of the carbonado diamond ’s interstellar origin .
While some black diamonds do come from space , they also could have shape on Earth . Carbonado diamonds from meteorite are normally much smaller than The Enigma , which has led some geology experts toquestion Sotheby ’s claim . And without video showing the exterior of the jewel before it was prune , it ’s impossible to confirm its background .
Whether it ’s an earthling or an extraterrestrial , the infield likely wo n’t have trouble attracting in high spirits bidder next calendar month . Its unique colour and impressive size have already beget international attention , and its mysterious nature only adds to its machination .
[ h / tAP ]
