The 'Enigma' Black Diamond: A 55-Sided, 555-Carat Mystery

The Enigma Diamond is a rare natural black diamond, or carbonado, weighing exactly 555.55 carats and cut with 55 facets—a design steeped in symbolism and precision. Officially recognized by Guinness World Records in 2006 as the largest cut diamond in the world, the Enigma stands out not just for its size but for its unusual structure, ambiguous origin, and historic sale via cryptocurrency. It is one of the most scientifically intriguing and culturally significant gemstones ever discovered.

Rare 55-facet, 555-carat 'Enigma' black diamond, a polycrystalline carbonado with metallic inclusions and natural luster.

What Is the Enigma Diamond?

Unlike traditional clear diamonds, the Enigma is a carbonado, a rare and tough black diamond composed of countless tiny diamond crystals bonded together. This gives it a dark brown to black appearance and extraordinary durability—greater than that of typical gem-quality diamonds.

Key Features:

Type: Carbonado (polycrystalline black diamond)
Weight: 555.55 carats (111.11 grams)
Facets: 55
Color: Dark brown to black
Size: Approx. 54 × 44 × 32 mm
Hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale, with higher toughness due to its polycrystalline nature
Inclusions: Graphite, magnetite, and other trace minerals

Carbonado diamonds are incredibly rare and are found in only two known regions on Earth: Brazil and the Central African Republic. Unlike most diamonds that form deep in Earth's mantle and are brought to the surface by kimberlite or lamproite eruptions, carbonados are found in alluvial sediments, suggesting a very different—and still debated—origin.

How Did It Form? Earth or Space?

The origin of carbonado diamonds like the Enigma is a subject of scientific debate, with two main hypotheses:

1. Extraterrestrial Origin

Some researchers propose that carbonados formed in space and arrived on Earth via asteroid or meteorite impacts billions of years ago. Supporting evidence includes:

High concentrations of hydrogen and nitrogen, common in space environments
The presence of osbornite, a mineral typically found in meteorites
An estimated age of 2.6 to 3.8 billion years, older than most terrestrial diamonds

2. Terrestrial Formation

Others suggest carbonados formed deep within Earth under unique high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in regions lacking volcanic activity. This theory suggests that carbonados are geologically ancient, formed during the Archean Eon, and later exposed by erosion and weathering.

No consensus exists yet, but the Enigma remains at the center of this unresolved scientific mystery.

The Enigma diamond: A rare 555.55-carat black carbonado with 55 facets, exhibiting natural polycrystalline structure and metallic luster.

A Diamond Designed with Symbolism

The Enigma is not just scientifically important—it was also intentionally crafted to carry deep cultural meaning. The diamond was cut over three years by Belgian master gem cutter Ran Gorenstein, starting from a rough stone believed to weigh over 800 carats.

Its final shape draws inspiration from the Hamsa, also known as Khamsa—a palm-shaped symbol widely used in Middle Eastern and North African cultures. The repeated use of the number five (555.55 carats, 55 facets) is tied to the Hamsa's representation of:

Protection
Power
Blessing
Good fortune

This symbolic design merges spiritual belief with advanced gem-cutting techniques, transforming the Enigma from a geological specimen into a cultural artifact.

The Enigma Diamond’s Auction and Cryptocurrency Sale

After remaining in private hands since the 1990s, the Enigma was exhibited to the public for the first time in 2022, with showcases in Dubai, Los Angeles, and London. It was then sold in a single-lot online auction by Sotheby’s.

Auction Highlights:

Dates: February 3–9, 2022
Estimate: £3–5 million ($4.1–6.8 million USD)
Final Price: £3.16 million ($4.28 million USD)
Payment: Fully paid in cryptocurrency

The buyer was Richard James Schueler, also known as Richard Heart, the founder of the blockchain project Hex.com. He renamed the stone the “Hex.com Diamond,” linking it with his cryptocurrency community. This made the Enigma one of the first ultra-valuable diamonds sold entirely via digital currency, marking a pivotal moment in the intersection of luxury assets and decentralized finance.

Why Is the Enigma Diamond Important?

The Enigma stands out not just for its mass, but for its multidimensional significance across science, culture, and commerce.

Key Reasons:

World Record: Largest cut diamond by weight, certified by Guinness World Records
Rare Composition: A massive carbonado—one of the toughest and rarest diamond types
Possible Space Origin: May have formed in outer space and landed on Earth via meteorite impact
Spiritual Design: Modeled on the Hamsa, symbolizing protection and balance
Blockchain Milestone: One of the first high-value diamonds sold using cryptocurrency

Its story connects geology, cosmochemistry, cultural symbolism, and modern digital finance, making it an extraordinary object across multiple disciplines.

What Is the Enigma’s Status in 2025?

As of August 2025, there have been no public exhibitions or scientific publications specifically focused on the Enigma since its 2022 auction. The diamond remains in private ownership, and its current location is undisclosed. However, research into carbonado diamonds continues, as scientists work to understand their structure, age, and origin—topics where the Enigma may still hold answers.

A Diamond Like No Other

The Enigma diamond is a rare fusion of natural wonder, scientific intrigue, cultural symbolism, and technological milestone. Whether forged in Earth's ancient crust or born in the explosion of a distant star, its journey from the depths (or beyond) to human hands is nothing short of extraordinary. With its unmatched size, mysterious formation, and symbolic design, the Enigma continues to fascinate scientists, collectors, and gem enthusiasts alike—an eternal puzzle carved in carbon.