AuctionsJan 12, 2022
Bonhams Acquires Nordic Auction House BukowskisAuctionsJan 18, 2022
‘The Enigma,’ a 555-Carat Black Diamond, Could Sell for $6M at Auction
The massive natural fancy black diamond will be offered without reserve at Sotheby’s next month.
The 555.55-carat “Enigma” diamond will be the largest cut diamond to appear at auction when it hits the block at Sotheby’s next month. The diamond will be sold without reserve.
Dubai—A mammoth black diamond soon will make its auction debut.
In February, Sotheby’s will put “The Enigma” up on the block. Weighing 555.55 carats, Sotheby’s said it is the largest faceted diamond of any kind to ever appear at auction.
The Engima is being sold without reserve, meaning there is no minimum bid required to win the stone, though the auction house said it believes the diamond could achieve £3 million-£5 million ($4.1 million-$6.8 million).
Both GIA and Gübelin issued reports for The Engima, identifying it as a natural fancy black diamond.
GIA’s library said natural fancy black diamonds have a Mohs hardness of 10, like other diamonds.
They owe their color to numerous minute dark crystals or clouds of graphite, magnetite, hematite, or native iron, it added, and because they have so many inclusions, black diamonds are difficult to polish.
The Enigma is a free-form faceted stone, both labs stated in their reports. Its shape is inspired by the hamsa, a palm-shaped symbol that is a sign of protection.
The hamsa is associated with the number five, reflected in the diamond’s 555.55 carats as well as its 55 facets.
In 2004, when it issued the grading report, GIA said The Enigma was “the largest fancy black, natural color and largest diamond” it had graded to date, and Gübelin said it was the largest faceted diamond it had examined to date.
The stone was also listed as the largest cut diamond in the world in the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records.
Related stories will be right here …
In February, Sotheby’s will put “The Enigma” up on the block. Weighing 555.55 carats, Sotheby’s said it is the largest faceted diamond of any kind to ever appear at auction.
The Engima is being sold without reserve, meaning there is no minimum bid required to win the stone, though the auction house said it believes the diamond could achieve £3 million-£5 million ($4.1 million-$6.8 million).
Both GIA and Gübelin issued reports for The Engima, identifying it as a natural fancy black diamond.
GIA’s library said natural fancy black diamonds have a Mohs hardness of 10, like other diamonds.
They owe their color to numerous minute dark crystals or clouds of graphite, magnetite, hematite, or native iron, it added, and because they have so many inclusions, black diamonds are difficult to polish.
Another view of “The Enigma”
The Enigma is a free-form faceted stone, both labs stated in their reports. Its shape is inspired by the hamsa, a palm-shaped symbol that is a sign of protection.
The hamsa is associated with the number five, reflected in the diamond’s 555.55 carats as well as its 55 facets.
In 2004, when it issued the grading report, GIA said The Enigma was “the largest fancy black, natural color and largest diamond” it had graded to date, and Gübelin said it was the largest faceted diamond it had examined to date.
The stone was also listed as the largest cut diamond in the world in the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records.
The diamond has never been seen on the market nor has it been exhibited to the public, but now “The Enigma” will take center stage as part of a dedicated online-only auction at Sotheby’s.
Sotheby’s unveiled the diamond Monday. It will be on view at the Dubai International Financial Centre from Jan. 17-20, after which it will travel to Los Angeles from Jan. 24-26 and then London from Feb. 2-9.
The one-lot auction will be open for online bidding from Feb. 3-9.
Sotheby’s will again accept cryptocurrency as payment, following the sale of the “10138 The Key” for a record $12.3 million via cryptocurrency last year in Hong Kong.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
