What is danburite and why do I use it?

Sep 29, 2023

I love to design with danburite because it is extremely flattering; it is subtle yet striking and always feels appropriate. danburite additionally, has all the hallmarks of a highly valuable gemstone: hardness, the ability to be faceted and rarity. It is excellent choice for the adventurous collector and investor.

Danburite was first discovered in Danbury, Connecticut, USA in 1839 by Mr. Charles Upham Shepard (1804-1866), the eminent American mineralogist. Today the city covers the original mine, however, danburite has been also been found in Bolivia, Burma, Japan, Madagascar and Russia. Today the most significant examples come from Mexico.

Danburite is a calcium boric silicate that occurs with relative frequency. However, clear and large gemstone quality material is extremely rare. It lends itself perfectly to faceting and jewelry because of its hardness and little cleavage. Danburite has a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale. Its hardness is similar to that of aquamarine and tourmaline, though it is not as hard as sapphire. Danburite is subject to no known enhancements, treatments or imitations of any kind.

Danburite can be colorless, pink, strong yellow or brown. The material does not have any closely related gemstone family members. It looks similar to rock crystal (quartz), topaz, and colorless beryl (goshenite). These stones are the only large sized clear gemstones in the world…with the exception of diamonds, of course. The size and clarity are one of the central reasons I love to use danburite in my designs.

The mythological, healer world accords danburite with the ability to unite the heart with the mind and the mind with the heart; it is considered a highly spiritual stone which aids in enlightenment and encourages the release of fear, grief and anxiety. Not a bad by product to its lovely pink color and beautiful luster…if you believe in such things.

Visit the Danburite Collection.