The facts
What ceylonite actually is
Mineralogically, ceylonite is spinel group (variety) — (Mg,Fe²⁺)Al₂O₄, crystallising in the isometric system.
The colour is caused by fe²⁺ darkens the normal magnesian spinel towards bottle-green, brown and near-black. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.770–1.800, and the specific gravity sits near 3.63–3.90; cleavage is none; conchoidal fracture.
Where ceylonite comes from
The recognised sources are Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Betroka, Anosy, Madagascar and Bo Phloi, Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How ceylonite is treated
Untreated in this dark form. Note that much pale commercial spinel is heated, and cobalt-diffused blue spinel is on the market — but ceylonite itself is too dark to be worth treating.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What ceylonite is confused with
The usual confusions are Black spinel, Hercynite, Magnetite and Dark almandine.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.770–1.800 and specific gravity 3.63–3.90 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What ceylonite is used for
Ceylonite is bought by mineral collecting and jewellery — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen or by the carat.
Durability and care
Ceylonite is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, with none; conchoidal fracture cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What ceylonite costs
Indicative pricing for ceylonite is 5–40 USD/ct.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is ceylonite treated, and how?
Untreated in this dark form. Note that much pale commercial spinel is heated, and cobalt-diffused blue spinel is on the market — but ceylonite itself is too dark to be worth treating.
Where does ceylonite come from?
Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Betroka, Anosy, Madagascar and Bo Phloi, Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is ceylonite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does ceylonite cost?
Indicatively 5–40 USD/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is ceylonite confused with?
Most often Black spinel, Hercynite, Magnetite and Dark almandine. A refractive index of 1.770–1.800 and a specific gravity near 3.63–3.90 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for ceylonite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about ceylonite