Auction house Sotheby’s Dubai has unveiled a diamond that’s literally from out of this world.
Sotheby’s calls the 555.55-carat black diamond — believed to have come from outer space — “The Enigma.” The rare gem was shown off on Monday to journalists as part of a tour in Dubai and Los Angeles before it is due to be auctioned off in February in London.
Sotheby’s expects the diamond to be sold for at least 5 million British pounds ($6.8 million). The auction house plans to accept cryptocurrency as a possible payment as well.
Sophie Stevens, a jewelry specialist at Sotheby’s Dubai, told The Associated Press that the number five bears an importance significance to the diamond, which has 55 facets as well.
“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,” she said. Khamsa in Arabic means five.
“So there’s a nice theme of the number five running throughout the diamond," she added.
Stevens also said the black diamond is likely from outer space.
“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,” she said.
Black diamonds, also known as carbonado, are extremely rare, and are found naturally only in Brazil and Central Africa. The cosmic origin theory is based on their carbon isotopes and high hydrogen content.
Nina Ruggiero, senior digital editor at Travel + Leisure, shows us some of the trendiest gadgets for travel enthusiasts.
Rachel Hill, blogger and travel influencer, kicks off Cheddar's "Business of Travel" show. She talks about the biggest travel trends of 2018 and how to get paid for traveling the world.
Carolyn Miles, President and CEO of Save the Children, shares a disturbing new report on children living in conflict zones. The number of kids living in dangerous areas has gone up 75% since the early 1990s.
Rory Carroll, publisher of Auto Week, and Todd Lassa, Detroit Bureau Chief for Automobile Magazine, discuss Mercedes's decision to pull out of the 2019 Detroit Auto Show.
Dana Wollman, executive editor at Engadget, discusses the Apple HomePod's bizarre new issue of leaving white rings on wooden furniture. Wollman also talks Skype's security flaw and Huawei's latest problems getting into the U.S. phone market.
Kelly Macias, staff writer for Daily Kos, explains why she believes congress won't do anything about guns after the latest mass shooting in Florida. Macias also shares her thoughts on the resignation of a special assistant to President Trump after past marijuana use.
Karen Crouse, the New York Times sports reporter who broke the story about figure skater Adam Rippon's eating disorder, discusses the future of sports in a space where lean, light figures are encouraged.
What did John Kelly know and when did he know it? Plus, the Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder sparking controversy. A preview of the Daytona 500, and Happy Valentine's Day! With FanSided, The Root, Moët & Chandon, and Zimbio.
Save the Children CEO Carolyn Miles says that the number of children in these dangerous areas has spiked 75 percent since the early '90s. She adds that some feel as if they have no future.
Police in Florida respond to a deadly high school shooting in Parkland. Congressman Joe Kennedy talks about bringing the Democratic message to millennial voters, and President Trump's Infrastructure plan.
