Sinhalite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Long thought to be brown peridot, sinhalite was investigated in 1952 and found to be a new mineral. When cut, it is richly colored, bright, and attractive, and resembles citrine, peridot, or zircon. Large gems are very rare, but smaller stones are available in the marketplace. Some people have reported that it was easier at times to find a large sinhalite for sale than a small one, however, as rough pebbles from Sri Lanka are often large.
Optics: a=1.665- 1.676; β= 1.697; γ= 1.705-1.712. (Sri Lanka =1.669/1.702/1.706).
Biaxial (-), 2V= 56°.
Occurrence: A contact metamorphic mineral in limestories at granite contacts; alluvial.
Warren County, New York: no gem value.
Northeast Tanzania (in a skarn): pink to brownish pink, some gemmy areas.
Myanmar: one rolled pebble noted.
Madagascar.
Sri Lanka: major source of gem sinhalite. as rolled pebbles in gem gravels.
Comments: Long thought to be brown peridot, sinhalite was investigated in 1952 and found to be a new mineral. When cut, it is richly colored, bright, and attractive, and resembles citrine, peridot, or zircon. Large gems are very rare, but smaller stones are available in the marketplace. Some people have reported that it was easier at times to find a large sinhalite for sale than a small one, however, as rough pebbles from Sri Lanka are often large.
Name: From the old Sanskrit word for Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), sinhala.
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