Star of Singapore: Exploring the Incredible Legacy of B.P. de Silva 

During my trip to Singapore in October, I made sure to visit the only standalone jewellery boutique situated on its own, B.P. de Silva. The brand’s heritage traces back more than 150 years and it is now run by the fifth generation of the founding family. It is a real destination. I think this is quite emblematic of what B.P. de Silva stands for… uniqueness, heritage, quiet confidence and authenticity. Even its signature sage green is understated; different from what I have found elsewhere in the world. Let me take you behind the scenes of this distinctive luxury brand…

The B.P. de Silva tagline is “Safekeeping Stories Since 1872”, and from the moment you step into its store in Singapore, you will know why! Inside, there’s a safe that has been with the business since its inception in the late 19th century. It stands out because of its great golden seals on each door and its sage green colour, the original inspiration for the brand’s colour palette. This solid piece of history is a wonderful reminder of Balage Porolis de Silva – the Founder of B.P. de Silva – and is described today as a “quiet witness to the brand’s stories since its first generation”.

Empowering Jewellery Collection

This sense of adventure is still something that is treasured today, especially now that the business has passed through so many generations of the family. To toast this mindset, the brands recently launched The Horizon Collection, which took two years to bring to fruition. This gender-neutral offering is rooted in the idea of doing things your own way and having the courage to create and innovate (much like Balage Porolis had the bravery to travel the open ocean in his youth!). Its wave-like precious metal forms are “a design tribute” to his life-defining odyssey, as well as the “waves of change throughout life,” according to the brand, led by 5^th Generation family member, and Creative Director, Shanya Amarasuriya.

150^th Anniversary Boutique Opening

This idea of flowing with the times is something that resonates with the present-day B.P. de Silva team too. In order to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first B.P. de Silva atelier in 2022, they opened a standalone flagship on Dempsey Hill – the store I had the pleasure of visiting. This was the brainchild of Creative Director Shanya Amarasuriya, who joined her family enterprise in 2018 after returning from New York. She tells me: “B.P. de Silva isn’t just a brand I love; it’s also a part of me. It connects me to my roots and embodies generations of family values. Listening to our clients’ stories about their favourite jewels and how these heirlooms were passed down to them from previous generations, and hearing how the business shaped my grandparents’ lives, only made me appreciate the brand more as I got older.”

Welcoming Interiors

There’s a wonderful sense of tranquillity when you enter the B.P. de Silva store on Dempsey Hill. The city is such a whirlwind of the fast-paced modern lifestyle, so to arrive somewhere that’s calm and infused with natural light is a welcome haven. A member of their team of Jewellery Specialists tells me: “You will always be greeted with a smile and by people who so genuinely believe in the power of human connection.” It feels as if every detail has been considered to ensure that guests feel like they’ve arrived at a home away from home. Even the spaces are named as such: the living room for comfort, the drawing room for discussing creative ideas, and the adjoining private outdoor courtyard for the appreciation of gemstones in natural light.

Two Signatures: Storied Jewellery and Heritage Tea

As part of the in-store experience, guests are served their choice of B.P. de Silva tea, which is something the business has been doing for over a century, a tradition passed down from the Founder. They currently offer three signature tea blends (The 1872 Black Tea, Singapore Summer, and Pandan Halia) that serve as a “gesture of friendship, warmth and hospitality, symbolising warmth and genuine care for guests,” explained to me by their Jewellery Specialists while serving me tea in the boutique. These ‘throwbacks’ to a simpler time are part of the brand’s DNA…

Shanya Amarasuriya shares her family has a passion for letter writing and capturing sentiment on paper. In fact, her appreciation of letters led to becoming pen pals with a client of the brand from its earlier days, and this particular written correspondence across the globe inspired a special piece of fine jewellery that transforms from a personalised Art Deco-inspired necklace into a precious wax seal. This signature necklace is accompanied by the Old World Charm Wax Kit to help the wearer use their wax seal and embrace the time-honoured art of letter writing.

Contemporary, Soulful Luxury

A great appeal of B.P. de Silva’s is that even when utilising large gemstones and unique cut diamonds, their styles are always elegant, artistic and thoughtful. Recently, I showcased the Grand Plush sapphire necklace on Instagram, which is set with a 10.50-carat emerald-cut natural yellow sapphire and more than 53 carats of round diamonds in a solid, three-dimensional loop. There is always a link back to the brand’s legacy, whether that’s the roaring 1920s in the Deco Darling and Deco Centennial collections, the flourishing of Singapore in the Lotus and Marquise Mist ranges, or the reimagined classics from generations of de Silva’s past, like the Horizon, Plush and High Street lines.

B.P. de Silva’s Masterpieces

Bespoke Jewellery

Setting these ready-to-wear collections aside for a second, it is important to mention that B.P. de Silva has a penchant for bespoke work. All its private commissions evolve from a romantic place, like the specific colour of a sapphire chosen to match the sunset during a planned proposal or a hidden gemstone in a sentimental hue for the wearer’s eyes alone. Its family heirlooms are values and wishes encapsulated in precious materials, which is another reason why its “Safekeeping Stories” tagline is so apt! “For the clientele we serve right now, what we’re seeing are requests for something precious that speaks to them and will stand the test of time,” the global brand team shares. “There has also been an increasing demand for coloured gemstones, and we are blessed to be able to give our clients the options we have through our Natural Gem Library, which encompasses over 150,000 natural gemstones that we’ve curated for over a century.”

What I love about the B.P. de Silva story is that it’s so rich in both the past and the present. In previous generations, it served aristocratic and royal clientele, like the Duke of Connaught, the King of Siam and the Sultan of Johore, to name a few. And in 2022, the brand attained B Corp certification for its social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Surely, this is proof that nothing stands still when it comes to running a fifth-generation family business.

If you are travelling to Singapore and wish to experience an oasis of calm and a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity, make sure this jewellery boutique on Dempsey Hill is on your agenda. B.P. de Silva’s flagship boutique is especially beautiful this time of the year, with festive installations, and new holiday jewellery launches for gifting and family keepsakes.