Remarkable Songstress of the Blue Sapphire, Serendipity

Remarkable Songstress of the Blue Sapphire, Serendipity

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In a remarkable turn of events, the Houston Museum of Natural Science has acquired the Siren of Serendip, a stunning 422.66-carat blue sapphire, for permanent display. This masterpiece, hidden from public knowledge for a long time, even from renowned sapphire experts, is now on display at the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals in Texas, USA.

The Siren of Serendip's journey began in the early 20th century, when it was cut from a 2,670-carat rough found in Sri Lanka, a country renowned for its gem-quality blue sapphires. The sapphire was named in honour of both the historical Persian name of the island of Sri Lanka and its irresistibly beautiful color by the Houston Museum.

The creation of a jewellery design for the Siren of Serendip was a challenging prospect due to its sheer size and weight (almost 85 grams). Master jeweller Ingo Henn, of Henn of London, was commissioned to develop a design in April 2018. The final design, an 18kt white gold and diamond necklace, showcases an intricate setting that enhances the sapphire's brilliance.

The necklace was unveiled at the Brown Gallery in the Houston Museum of Natural Science on 3 March 2019. A total of 913 colorless diamonds, with a total weight of 36.3 carats, were selected and set on the necklace and the mount. The gold structure was handmade and later rhodium-plated, with platinum used for the sapphire's claws.

The Siren of Serendip's vivid blue color and excellent transparency are a testament to the skilled mining, cutting, and selective treatment processes in Sri Lanka. These processes involve traditional sifting and extraction from river gravels, expert cutting techniques, and common heat treatment to improve color and clarity. The result is large, vivid blue gems prized worldwide.

The gem potential of Sri Lanka was mentioned in the Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicle of Ceylon, as early as 543 BCE. References to Sri Lanka's sapphire production can also be found in Pliny the Elder's Natural History in the first century CE. Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is historically known as Taprobane, Jazirat Kakut, Ratna Deepa, and Serendip, meaning 'Island of Gems' in Arabic and Singhalese, respectively.

The Siren of Serendip sapphire necklace was finished in late February 2019, and due to generous anonymous donors, it was acquired by the museum for permanent display. This remarkable addition to the Houston Museum of Natural Science's collection is a testament to the enduring allure of Sri Lanka's sapphires and the skill of the artisans who transform rough stones into stunning gemstones.

References:

1. GemSelect
2. Houston Museum of Natural Science
3. American Gem Society
4. American Gem Society
5. GIA
6. The Houston Museum of Natural Science has expanded its offerings, including workshops and courses on gemmology, to provide insight into the fascinating world of diamonds and sapphires like the Siren of Serendip.
7. For those interested in the lifestyle associated with these luxurious gemstones, publications such as Fashion-and-Beauty and Home-and-Garden magazines offer features on the latest jewelry trends, home decor inspired by gemstones, and more.
8. To further explore the captivating world of gemstones, travel enthusiasts can embark on a journey to Sri Lanka, historically known as Serendip, renowned as an Island of Gems and a treasure trove for sapphires.
9. In addition to jewelry, food-and-drink lovers will find delight in Sri Lankan cuisine, which features dishes made with spices mined from the very same land as the sapphires.
10. Car enthusiasts might want to visit the country with a luxurious ride, as the vibrant lifestyle of Sri Lanka pairs perfectly with a high-performance car.
11. Once you've experienced the enchantment of the Siren of Serendip and Sri Lanka, the memories created will last a lifetime, making for unforgettable events and stories to share with friends and family.

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