Danburite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
A very durable gemstone, danburite is an excellent choice for jewelry use. Although the mineral isn't rare, large facetable pieces are scarce.
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A very durable gemstone, danburite is an excellent choice for jewelry use. Although the mineral isn’t rare, large facetable pieces are scarce. Still, sufficient material exists for gem enthusiasts and adventurous jewelry lovers to add this lovely and underappreciated stone to their collections.
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for full access to our price guide (updated monthly).Danburite Value
Tried and true gem value factors apply to danburite. All other things being equal, larger, cleaner, better cut and better colored stones have a higher value per carat. However, a truly colorless specimen would surpass a very pale yellow or slightly pink stone in value per carat.
Princess-cut colorless 8.65-ct danburite, 12.26 mm, Russia. © Kosnar Gem Co. Used with permission.
Comments
Danburite's colors typically range from colorless to light yellow, pale pink, or tan. With poor cleavage and a hardness of 7, it ranks with popular jewelry stones such as quartz and topaz in toughness. Although its modest dispersion means cut danburites lack fire, properly cut gems are very bright. Rare specimens may also display chatoyancy.
Identifying Characteristics
Interestingly, most specimens fluoresce a sky blue color in longwave ultraviolet light and phosphoresce red when heated.
Synthetics
Laboratories have synthesized danburite for research into phosphorescence. However, there's no known jewelry use for this material.
Enhancements
No known gem treatments.
Sources
First discovered in Danbury, Connecticut, gem-quality danburite has since been found in many locations. Other notable sources include the following:
- Japan: Obira, Bungo, Kyushu, colorless crystals, sometimes gemmy.
- Madagascar: yellow crystals at Mt. Bity, often gemmy.
- Mexico: Charcas, San Luis Potosí, colorless, yellow, light pink (gemmy).
- Myanmar: Mogok, yellow and colorless, sometimes large crystals (rolled pebbles).
- Russia: colorless, gemmy material.
- Bolivia; China; Tanzania; Vietnam.
Stones Sizes
Danburites, especially colorless material from Mexico, typically range in size between 1 and 5 carats. Yellow gems from Myanmar between 7 and 10 carats are very rare.
- British Museum of Natural History (London): Myanmar, wine-yellow, step-cut, flawless, 135.61.
- Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C): 18.4 (Myanmar, yellow) 12.4; 10.5 (Mexico, colorless); 7.9 (Japan, colorless).
- Los Angeles County Museum (Los Angeles): Madagascar, brownish, emerald cut, 115.
- Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, Canada): Russia, colorless, step-cut, 12.72.
- Private Collections: 20 (Myanmar, peach color); 22.76 (Madagascar, yellow); 37 (Russia).
Care
Due to some heat sensitivity, avoid steam cleaning this gem. Otherwise, danburite requires no special care. You can use these gems for all jewelry applications, including rings and bracelets. Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more care recommendations.
Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA
Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.
Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education.
Barbara Smigel, PhD. GG
Barbara Smigel is a GIA certified gemologist, facetor, jewelry designer, gem dealer, gemology instructor and creator of the well-regarded educational websites acstones.com and bwsmigel.info.
International Gem Society
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