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Sinhalite


Properties
Chemical Composition: 
Magnesium Aluminum Borate - MgAlBO4
Classification / Type: 
-
Colors / Varieties: 
Yellow, dark green, greenish brown
Crystal System / Forms: 
Orthorhombic System / Grains and rolled pebbles.
Hardness: 
6.5
Specific Gravity: 
blank
Cleavage / Fracture: 
Indistinct / Conchoidal fracture
Optic Character: 
Anisotropic, D.R.; Biaxial negative
Lustre: 
Vitreous
Refractive Index / Birefringence: 
1.670 - 1.708 / 0.038. Range: 1.667 - 1.711
Pleochroism: 
light brown, dark brown and greenish brown
Dispersion: 
0.018
Magnification: 
Crystalline inclusions, doubling
U.V. Fluorescence: 
Inert
Spectrum: 
Bands at 452nm, 463nm, 475nm, 493nm.
Cause of Color: 
Iron
Treatment (Enhancement): 
-
Specific Tests & Remarks: 
Doubling is seen.
Synthesis: 
-
Simulants (with key separation tests): 
Peridot (pleochroism, spectrum), Tourmaline (optic figure, R.I. birefringence, S.G., spectrum), Chrysoberyl (R.I., birefringence, S.G., spectrum), Kornerupine (birefringence, spectrum), Epidote (R.I., birefringence, spectrum)
Geological Occurrence: 
In alluvial deposits, in limestones at granite contact zones.
Sources: 
Sri Lanka, Myanmar
Cuts & Uses: 
Facetted cuts, cabochon, etc.
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