Article: Sapphire Season: A look at September’s Birthstone, the Sapphire, B.P. de Silva’s hallmark gemstone
Sapphire Season: A look at September’s Birthstone, the Sapphire, B.P. de Silva’s hallmark gemstone
September’s birthstone, the Sapphire is one of the most treasured gemstones in fine jewellery history.
Cherished for its remarkable spectrum of colour and exceptional durability, B.P. de Silva’s hallmark gemstone traces back to our history in the 19th century, when our Founder brought his first pocketful of gemstones from Sri Lanka, the home of Ceylon Sapphires, and some of the finest Sapphires in the world.
While blue remains the most recognised Sapphire colour, the Padparadscha Sapphire is the reigning queen of corundums, with her exquisite rarity owed to her unique sunset hue: a delicate blend of oranges and pinks:
Its name is derived from the Sinhalese word Padparadscha, meaning “lotus blossom”, and its distinctive colour makes it one of the most sought-after sapphires in the world
What is a Sapphire?
Sapphire is a variety of corundum, a mineral that forms naturally within the earth. In its purest form, a corundum is colourless; its trace elements grow within it which gives each Sapphire its distinctive colours. Blue sapphires get their colour from iron and titanium, while other elements can create pink, yellow and green hues.
Red is a special colour for corundums - instead of being called a Sapphire, gemologists classify them as Rubies — July’s birthstone. Rubies and sapphires are both part of the corundum family, but the presence of different trace elements gives them their distinctive colours and characteristics.
Sapphires – For Safekeeping Stories
At B.P.’s, Sapphires are highly requested for engagement rings, and other precious heirlooms to be.
Most recently, we crafted bespoke jewels for a pair of sisters:
A vivid Blue Sapphire, carefully chosen to mark a 30th birthday, and a sunset-hued Padparadscha Sapphire, to herald a new chapter in life. Each ring mirrors the other through expressive starburst motifs, reminiscent of shooting stars evoking a shared wish between sisters: that each other’s dreams may come true.
Sapphires in Convertible High Jewellery
A Sapphire’s versatility makes it a real joy to design with, and it allows us to challenge and expand our horizon as a fine and high jeweller. With Sapphires, we’ve crafted some of our most convertible jewels to date, including our Jazz Age Crescendo Sapphire and Diamond High Jewel above, and our Guardianship Sapphire and Diamond Convertible Necklace:
High Jewellery Made to Mark History: a design commissioned for the National Museum of Singapore, in ode to Singapore's 60th birthday
A Unique Gift From a Sapphire Specialist: Safekeeper’s Brass Pen with Sapphire
As a brand with a legacy of letter-writing, a tradition that began with our Founder himself, it remains a part of our brand DNA, even across 5 generations. What began as a tool we used in our boutique, became a gift that one can purchase and customise for one’s self and loved ones: the choice of Sapphire colour (3 available) and engraving is yours.
Finding Your Sapphire
Whether you are looking for a September birthstone gift, marking a milestone or simply searching for a gemstone that feels distinctly yours, Sapphires at B.P. de Silva come in a range of forms, from custom engagement rings, to everyday collection designs, to lifestyle objets d’art.
Have a Sapphire in mind? Let us help you find yours.
