A deep blue or greenish variety of the mineral spinel, historically mined in Sri Lanka and prized as a gemstone.
Named after Ceylan (the former colonial name for Sri Lanka), with the mineral suffix '-ite' indicating a distinct mineral species with specific crystalline properties.
Ceylanite was so precious in ancient times that it was often mistaken for sapphires and called 'false sapphire,' yet it's actually rarer and sometimes worth more to collectors today because of its deep, unusual color!
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