UnexpectedFind of Rare Sapphire Known as Serendip Blue in Town of Siren
In a grand unveiling at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, a new addition to the world of gemstones has taken center stage. The Siren of Serendip, a 422.66-carat blue sapphire, has made its permanent home at the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals.
The creation of the Siren of Serendip sapphire necklace was a challenging yet captivating journey. Master jeweller Ingo Henn, of Henn of London, received the commission to develop a jewellery design for the Siren of Serendip in April 2018. The design, an elegant 18kt white gold and diamond necklace, was chosen to showcase the sapphire's irresistible beauty.
The gold structure was handmade and plated with rhodium, while the sapphire's claws were made in platinum. A total of 913 colorless diamonds with a total weight of 36.3 carats were selected and set on the necklace and mount. The final sapphire setting phase was done in Houston by Henn of London's master stone setter.
The Siren of Serendip was kept outside the mainstream public knowledge for a long time, even from renowned sapphire experts like Richard Hughes of Lotus Gemology. Its unveiling marks the end of its secretive journey and the beginning of its new life as a beloved exhibit.
The Siren of Serendip's creation was made possible by a considerable number of generous anonymous donors. Its completion was announced in late February 2019, and the necklace was unveiled on March 3, 2019, at the Brown Gallery in the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Sri Lanka, historically known as Taprobane, Jazirat Kakut, Ratna Deepa, and Serendip, is renowned for producing fine-quality blue sapphires, sometimes in very large sizes. The gem potential of Sri Lanka was mentioned in the Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicle of Ceylon, as early as 543 BCE. References to the gem potential of Sri Lanka are also known in Pliny the Elder's Natural History in the first century CE.
Notable large blue sapphires from Sri Lanka include the Blue Giant of the Orient (486.52 carats), the Queen of Romania Sapphire (478.68 carats), the Logan Sapphire (423 carats), the Blue Belle of Asia (392.52 carats), and the Catherine The Great sapphire (331 carats). The Siren of Serendip joins this esteemed list, further solidifying Sri Lanka's reputation as a premier source of fine sapphires globally.
The Siren of Serendip was dubbed 'The Siren of Serendip' by the Houston Museum in honor of the historical Persian name of Sri Lanka and its irresistibly beautiful color. It now stands proudly among other exquisite gemstones, inviting visitors to marvel at its size, beauty, and historical significance.
[1] The Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). The Logan Sapphire. Retrieved from https://www.si.edu/collection/object/logan-sapphire
[2] Christie's. (2004). Blue Giant of the Orient. Retrieved from https://www.christies.com/features/The-Blue-Giant-of-the-Orient-11479-1.aspx
[3] The New York Times. (2019, March 4). A Giant Blue Sapphire, 'The Siren of Serendip,' Goes on Display in Houston. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/04/arts/design/siren-of-serendip-sapphire-houston.html
[4] GIA. (n.d.). Sri Lanka Sapphires. Retrieved from https://www.gia.edu/gia-research-and-resource-center/sri-lanka-sapphires
[1] The captivating journey of creating the Siren of Serendip sapphire necklace culminated in its permanent display at the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, a part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This majestic blue sapphire now joins an array of publications, such as The Smithsonian Institution's documentation on the Logan Sapphire.
[2] Master jeweller Ingo Henn of Henn of London carefully designed the 18kt white gold and diamond necklace to showcase the Siren of Serendip's extraordinary beauty. Its unveiling generated media coverage, as noted in articles from esteemed outlets like Christie's and The New York Times.
[3] The Siren of Serendip, with its irresistible allure, has earned a significant position in the world of gemstones. Notable courses, such as those offered by the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A), delve into the study of sapphires like this magnificent gem, providing valuable insights for gem enthusiasts.
[4] Sapphire workshops, like those conducted by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA), offer hands-on learning experiences for students interested in the gemstone industry. With the completion of the Siren of Serendip necklace, Henn of London's master stone setter demonstrated his expertise in these workshops held in Houston.
[5] As a symbol of Sri Lanka's rich gemstone heritage, the Siren of Serendip now stands among other exquisite gemstones. It adds to the country's appeal in fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and education-and-self-development industries, as highlighted in numerous travel guides and lifestyle magazines.
[6] The Siren of Serendip's creation was made possible by a group of generous anonymous donors. With their support, this monumental sapphire has solidified Sri Lanka's reputation as a premier source of fine sapphires and contributed significantly to its economic growth and development.
