What Is a Danburite Gemstone?
Discovered near Danbury, Conn., in 1839, danburite is now mined as a gemstone in Burma, Japan, Madagascar and Mexico. The gem is said to surpass quartz in brilliance and rival topaz as a stone made into jewelry pieces.
Other People Are Reading
-
Properties
-
Danburite rates a 7 on the jeweler's hardness scale, the same number assigned to quartz. The mineral is commonly found as a small stone but is considered a rare find when it is large enough to be cut into a multi-faceted gem.
Appearance
-
Danburite can be clear to pale yellow and even pink and tan in some stones. Although considered a brilliant stone, it does lack the distinctive flecks of color when cut that jewelers refer to as "fire."
-
Uses and Limitations
-
The gem is sensitive to heat, so steam-cleanings can alter its appearance. No other limitations exist for danburite as jewelry, so it is used in pendants, bracelets, rings, earrings and necklaces.
Price Range
-
The International Gem Society priced danburite at $20 to $120 per carat as of 2010. Price is dependent on the size, cut, clarity and color of the stone. A colorless danburite would fetch more.
-
