In February, a rare black diamond from the depths of the galaxy will be auctioned and buyers may also pay by using bitcoin. Sotheby’s, an online auction company, has revealed. The diamond is on exhibit for the very first time in Dubai from January 17 to January 20. Subsequently it will be displayed on 24-26 January in Los Angeles, 02-09 February in London with online bidding beginning in February.
The stone, named “The Enigma,” is a rare 555-carat black diamond. The diamond is projected to achieve a price of USD 4.1 million to USD 6.8 million.
The stone was named the world’s largest and most extravagant black natural color diamond in 2004 by the Gemological Institute of America and Gübelin, a Swiss gem house. Guinness Book of World Records listed it as having the biggest cut diamond in the world in 2006. The diamond has 55 facets and weighs 555.55 carats. It represents the Middle Eastern palm of Kamsa. Its purpose is to provide power and protection.
According to Sotheby’s, a naturally cut black diamond of such a size is exceptionally unusual. It is said to have been formed by a meteoric impact or to have evolved from a diamond-bearing asteroid that struck Earth.
Sotheby’s is already active with cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the metaverse. So it was not a surprise for bitcoins to be one of the accepted payment methods for the black diamond. Last year, it sold The Key 10138 diamond, 101-carat rare gem, for a historic high price of USD 12.3 million in bitcoin. It also auctioned two artworks by the enigmatic artist Banksy by accepting 3100 ETH worth USD 10 million.
