Danburite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Does Danburite Make a Good Jewelry Stone?

With poor cleavage and a hardness of 7, danburite can withstand the rigors of all jewelry applications, including rings and bracelets. It has good resistance to damage from accidental blows and scratches. In terms of toughness and wearability, it ranks with popular  jewelry stones like quartz and topaz.

Danburite's colors typically range from colorless to light yellow, pale pink, or tan.

Although a modest dispersion means cut danburites won't show colorful flashes, properly cut gems can still look very bright. Rare specimens may also display chatoyancy.

Do Danburites Fluoresce?

Most danburites show a sky-blue fluorescence in longwave ultraviolet light and a red phosphorescence when heated. However, some specimens from Sri Lanka and Tanzania show no luminescence at all.

Are There Any Synthetic Danburites?

Laboratories have synthesized danburite for research into phosphorescence. However, there's no known jewelry use for this material.

Typically, danburites receive no enhancements, but some Russian specimens have undergone a stable radiation treatment for color enhancement.

Where is Danburite Found?

First discovered in Danbury, Connecticut, gem-quality danburite has since been found in many locations all over the world. 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; Sri Lanka; 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, DC): 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).

How to Care for Danburite Gems

Due to some heat sensitivity, avoid steam cleaning this gem. Otherwise, danburite requires no special care. Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more care recommendations.