The Enigma[1] is the largest polished black diamond in the world.[2] Containing 55 facets and weighing in at 555.55 carats (111.11 grams), the Enigma was commissioned and inspired by Ran Gorenstein (Belgium) and completed in June 2004 after several years of cutting and faceting. The repetitive use of the number five in the design of the gem is intentional deriving from the hamsa, a palm-shaped amulet popular among Muslims and Jews in the Middle East and North Africa.[3]

The Enigma is a semi-transparent carbonado with a dark brown color. These are typically referred to as black diamonds and are often reserved for industrial uses with larger specimens considered as collectors’ stones, and in fact most gem-quality stones used in contemporary jewelry design have been treated to produce the black color. A natural black diamond of this size is an extremely rare occurrence.

The origin of the diamond is uncertain, but it is believed to either be the result of a meteoric impact or part of an asteroid that crashed on Earth.[3]

In February 2022, the diamond was sold for £3.16 million by Sotheby's to an undisclosed buyer, but cryptocurrency entrepreneur Richard Heart revealed that he was the buyer.[1] In July 2023 the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Heart with fraud[4] and illegally raising more than $1 billion in unregistered cryptocurrency to finance luxury goods purchases, including The Enigma[5] for $4.3 million in cryptocurrency.[1]

Upon taking ownership, in August 2023, Heart planned to rename the gem "HEX.com diamond".[6][7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Enigma: Billion-year-old black diamond sold for £3.16m". BBC. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  2. ↑ "Largest cut Fancy Black (diamond)". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  3. 1 2 Jani-Friend, Isabelle. "A 555.55-carat black diamond believed to come from space is going on sale". CNN. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  4. ↑ Stempel, Jonathan (31 July 2023). "US SEC says Hex crypto founder defrauded investors, spent money on 'Enigma' diamond". reuters. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  5. ↑ "US SEC charges Youtuber Richard Heart with unregistered crypto offerings fraud". The Economic Times. 2023-07-31. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  6. ↑ McKeever, Vicky (10 February 2022). "Billion-year-old black diamond bought with cryptocurrency for $4.3 million". CNBC. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  7. ↑ "The Enigma: Billion-year-old black diamond sold for £3.16m". BBC News. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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