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Ceylon spinel is a type of spinel gemstone that is found in Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon), and is highly regarded for its beauty and quality. Here are some of the key characteristics and features of Ceylon spinel:

  1. Color: Ceylon spinel comes in a range of colors, including red, pink, orange, blue, and purple. The most prized colors are typically red, pink, and blue, with vivid and intense color saturation. Ceylon spinel is often compared to ruby and sapphire for its rich and vibrant hues.

  2. Clarity: Ceylon spinel is typically transparent and eye-clean, with minimal inclusions or blemishes. This enhances its overall beauty and value, and makes it a popular choice for high-end jewelry.

  3. Cut: Ceylon spinel is often cut in a variety of shapes and styles, including round, oval, cushion, and pear. It is also commonly faceted, which helps to showcase its brilliance and fire.

  4. Hardness: Ceylon spinel is a durable gemstone with a hardness rating of 8 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for everyday wear.

  5. Origin: Ceylon spinel is highly prized for its rarity and origin, as it is only found in a few mines in Sri Lanka. This exclusivity, combined with its unique color and other characteristics, makes Ceylon spinel highly valuable and collectible.

Overall, Ceylon spinel is considered a high-quality gemstone that is prized by collectors and connoisseurs alike. Its vivid colors, transparency, and rarity make it a popular choice for fine jewelry and investment purposes.

Here are some of the most famous Ceylon sapphires:

  1. The Star of India - This 563-carat star sapphire is one of the largest in the world, and was found in Sri Lanka over 300 years ago. It is currently part of the collection at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

  2. The Stuart Sapphire - This 104-carat sapphire has a long and storied history, having been owned by a number of European monarchs throughout the centuries. It is believed to have been mined in Sri Lanka and is now part of the British Crown Jewels.

  3. The Blue Belle of Asia - This 400-carat sapphire is one of the largest in the world and was mined in Sri Lanka. It was originally owned by a member of the Sri Lankan royal family and was sold at auction in 2014 for over $17 million.

  4. The Logan Sapphire - This 423-carat sapphire was also mined in Sri Lanka and is one of the largest in the world. It is now part of the collection at the Smithsonian Institution.