Description:
Sinhalite is rare mineral and known only from the gem
gravels in Sri Lanka. It was thought to be a brownish
variety of the normally green peridot, the gem variety
of olivine. It was first discovered to be a new species
in 1952 when an unusually dark brown specimen came under
scientific scrutiny. Since then it has been an unusual
gemstone, being a member of the borates. Because it
is so rare, has few notable characteristics to give
it distinction and the not too overwhelming demand for
brownish green gemstones; sinhalite has not enjoyed
much success on the gemstone markets and is usually
sought after only by collectors of rare and unusual
gemstones. Sinhalite gets its name from sinhala, the
Sanskrit word for the island of Ceylon, now known as
Sri Lanka. |