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.
1 Minute Read
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.
Start an IGS Membership today
for full access to our price guide (updated monthly).Danburite Value
Become a member to unlock prices
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.
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.
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.
International Gem Society
Latest Articles
How Does Quartz Form?
Azurite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
An Introduction to the Lapidary Arts
Crystalline Quartz Buying Guide
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!