The facts
What sinhalite actually is
The species behind sinhalite is sinhalite, MgAlBO₄; it forms in the orthorhombic system.
Fe²⁺ giving yellowish-brown to greenish-brown; strongly pleochroic is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.665–1.712 and a specific gravity of about 3.47–3.50, with poor {010} cleavage.
Where sinhalite comes from
Commercial material comes from Ratnapura and Elahera, Sri Lanka, Mogok, Myanmar, Morogoro, Tanzania and Jemaa, Nigeria.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How sinhalite is treated
Untreated. Recognised as a distinct species only in 1952, when brown 'peridot' from Ceylon was shown to be a new borate — the RI and density are both higher than peridot's, which is the practical separation.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What sinhalite is confused with
Watch for Peridot, Chrysoberyl, Brown zircon, Andalusite and Tourmaline — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.665–1.712 and specific gravity 3.47–3.50 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What sinhalite is used for
The trades that buy sinhalite are jewellery and mineral collecting. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 6.5–7; cleavage poor {010}. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
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 sinhalite costs
Expect roughly $60–$300/ct; clean stones over 10 ct command more, depending on quality.
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 sinhalite treated, and how?
Untreated. Recognised as a distinct species only in 1952, when brown 'peridot' from Ceylon was shown to be a new borate — the RI and density are both higher than peridot's, which is the practical separation.
Where does sinhalite come from?
Ratnapura and Elahera, Sri Lanka, Mogok, Myanmar, Morogoro, Tanzania and Jemaa, Nigeria. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is sinhalite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6.5–7 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 sinhalite cost?
Indicatively $60–$300/ct; clean stones over 10 ct command more. 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 sinhalite confused with?
Most often Peridot, Chrysoberyl, Brown zircon, Andalusite and Tourmaline. A refractive index of 1.665–1.712 and a specific gravity near 3.47–3.50 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for sinhalite?
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 sinhalite