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.
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.
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for full access to our price guide (updated monthly).Sinhalite Value
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.
Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA
Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.
Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. joelarem.com
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