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.
Between Bells brings you the top tech, entertainment, and political stories of the day.
Your Future Home: Housing trends and tips with Quicken Loans. On Between Bells: can gaming become a mental health condition? With GameSpot, Nerdist, and Racked.
From managing Broadway shows to consulting with non-profits, Christa Avampato has done it all. Now she's out with her first novel, and joins Cheddar with a look at what it took to get it published.
A new year means a new slate of TV shows competing to be your next binge-watching obsession. Nerdist's Alica Lutes joins Cheddar with a preview of some returning favorites and notable debuts.
President Trump's first year in office has seen style choices turn into political controversies. Racked's Eliza Brooke joins Cheddar to explain why Americans are so fixated on fashion choices coming out of The White House.
The World Health Organization is considering classifying gaming addiction as a mental health condition. GameSpot's Justin Haywald joins Cheddar to discuss whether it's time to take the habit seriously.
Eliza Brooke, Senior Reporter at Racked, says that people's criticism stems from more than a dislike for the President's and First Lady's fashion choices. It's more a reflection of their political opinions.
Calla Cofield, staff writer at Space.com. discusses some of the biggest stories in space from 2017. They include the end of the Cassini mission and the first interstellar object discovered in our solar system.
Jacqueline Ayers, Director of Legislative Affairs for Planned Parenthood, discusses 2017's historic year for women - from the women's marches that kicked off President Trump's inauguration to the #Metoo campaign.
For Star Wars fans and superhero buffs it's going to be a great 2018 at the box office. Sean O'Connell, Managing Director at Cinemablend, joins Cheddar to countdown his top 5 picks for must-see movies next year.
