cushion-cut danburite - Madagascarcushion-cut danburite - Madagascar

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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HomeGemstonesDanburite 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. Still, sufficient material exists for gem enthusiasts and adventurous jewelry lovers to add this lovely and underappreciated stone to their collections.

cushion-cut danburite - Madagascar
Yellow, cushion-cut danburite, 6.53 cts, 12.0 x 9.7 x 8.6 mm, Myanmar. © ARK Rare Gems. Used with permission.

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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.

  • Danburite_White_Colorless_Gemstone_Russia_Princess_Kosnar_865cts_a
  • Danburite_White_Colorless_Gemstone_Russia_Princess_Kosnar_865cts_b
  • Danburite_White_Colorless_Gemstone_Russia_Princess_Kosnar_865cts_c

    Princess-cut colorless 8.65-ct danburite, 12.26 mm, Russia. © Kosnar Gem Co. Used with permission.

    danburites - gem and crystal - Mexico
    Danburites: Charcas, Mexico (8.5, crystal ~ 2 1⁄2 inches long). Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

    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.

    white gold ring
    18k white gold ring with danburite and diamonds. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Don Presley Auction.

    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.

    cat's eye danburite - Bolivia
    This danburite shows an unusual color, dark blue, as well as a rare chatoyant "cat's eye" effect. Round cabochon, 0.73 cts, 5.1 mm, Alto Chapare District, Cochabamba Dept., Bolivia. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.

    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.

    irradiated danburites - Russia
    Irradiated, square radiant-cut danburites, 5.76 ctw, 8.1 mm, Dal'Negorsk, Russia. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.

    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.
    Barion emerald-cut danburite - Madagascar
    Golden yellow danburite, 32.97 cts, 20.93 x 16.25 mm, custom Barion emerald cut, Madagascar. © Kosnar Gem Co. Used with permission.
    • 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.
    danburite - Tanzania
    Danburite, Merelani Hills, Arusha Region, Tanzania. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

    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.

    round brilliant danburite - Japan
    Round brilliant-cut danburite, 1.18 cts, 6.9 mm, Obira Mine, Oita Prefecture, Japan. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.

    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. joelarem.com


    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.


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