Danburite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Want to magnify the good vibes with a lesser-known, underrated crystal? Meet Connecticut’s state crystal, the danburite gemstone! First discovered in Danbury, Connecticut, this colorless, yellow, or pink gemstone is similar to topaz and a favorite among collectors.

As durable as it is beautiful, danburite is one of the stronger gemstones with 7-7.5 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale.

Danburite’s resilience, dazzling sparkle, and soft colors give it an ethereal essence, creating a stunning impression in danburite jewelry. 

Its high vibrations and pure, loving energy also make it a sought-after stone for crystal healers. Believed to connect the mind with the heart, danburite is a great conduit for inner harmony! 

As your go-to source for all things gemstone-related, at Gem Rock Auctions, we’re happy to shine a light on this underrated gem! Keep reading to learn all there is to know about divine danburite.

About Danburite Gemstones

First, is danburite a real gemstone? It sure is! Pronounced exactly as it’s spelled, danburite (dan·burr·ite) is typically colorless to white, but occasionally pale pink, gray, brownish, or pale yellow 

Is danburite rare? Yes! Large, faceted pieces of this semi-precious gemstone are hard to come by. Most gem-quality specimens only come from a few locations, making this rare crystal even more exclusive. 

Best known for its spiritual healing and profound harmonious powers, danburite is a lesser-known zodiac stone for Leos. It serves as a token of their devotion to family and deep connection with themselves and others. 

Danburite vs. Similar Gemstones

With poor cleavage and beautiful brilliance, danburite is a top choice among colorless gems, making it a great alternative to diamonds. However, there are some key differences in danburite vs. diamonds. 

For starters, danburite is more brittle. Diamonds also have perfect cleavage and dispersion than danburite. They also differ in cost. Danburite gemstone prices, while expensive, are still significantly lower than diamonds. We’ll dive deeper into danburite’s pricing later, though!

Primarily a collector’s gem, the danburite gemstone is known for its excellent transparency and hardness that even surpasses clear quartz. Comparing danburite vs. quartz, however, danburite pulls ahead in brilliance. Danburite’s stunning sparkle is enough to rival the finest topaz, but some mainstream jewelers shy away due to its modest dispersion.

Danburite Specifications & Characteristics

Danburite gemstones are calcium boron silicate minerals with the formula CaB2(SiO4)2. The stone’s orthorhombic, prismatic crystals share similar symmetry with topaz. 

Danburite gems can be small and slender or as large as 12 in. long and 4 in. wide! Crystals often have a V or wedge shape at both or either end.

Here’s an overview of danburite gemstone properties:

• Mineral class: Danburite

• Color: Colorless, yellow, pink, or tan

• Crystal structure: Orthorhombic

• Luster: Vitreous (glass-like) to greasy

• Transparency: Transparent

• Refractive index: 1.627-1.641

• Specific Gravity: 2.97-3.03, usually 3.00 

• Cleavage: Poor/Indistinct on [001]

• Fracture: Subconchoidal to uneven

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Fluorescence; Blue, violet, or blue-green in LW-UV; Blue, green, or blue-green in SW-UV.

• Pleochroism: Weak in pale-yellow & yellow

So now that you know its physical characteristics, what does danburite symbolize? 

Danburite Meaning & History

Charles Upham Shephard, an American mineralogist, first discovered danburite in 1839 in Danbury, Connecticut, and named it after the town. Today, the city covers the original mine, but danburite still comes from other parts of the world. Most of the specimens sold today come from Mexico.

Danburite is one of the Synergy 12 Gemstones believed to enhance spiritual ascension and evolution through karmic healing. The crystal is believed to help you pierce concerns at their core and strengthen anchors in your family line. Because of its association with family and harmony, danburite gemstone is often coined the “Stone of Joy and Celebration.” 

Ever wish you could control your dreams? Danburite gemstones are said to promote lucid dreaming — a state where dreamers remain conscious while asleep, so they can control and manipulate their dreams. This also helps facilitate astral projection, in which a person’s spiritual body leaves their physical body to travel through out-of-body experiences. Astral road trip, anyone?

Danburite Healing Properties

All crystals have unique characteristics that produce physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Danburite is no different, as one of the most powerful healing stones for elevating consciousness and connecting with the divine. Its gentle energies and high vibrations help remove blockages and initiate healing. 

Here’s how you can use danburite gemstones to elevate your physical, emotional, and spiritual self:

Physical Healing

Danburite can be used to treat ailments within the gall bladder, liver, and sexual organs. It can also help with weight gain, detoxing the body, and muscle stiffness. Try rockin’ a danburite ring the next time you work out — maybe you won’t be as sore the next day!

Emotional Healing

Mentally, danburite gemstones detox the mind as they do the body, clearing the mind and enhancing cognitive function. Danburite can also help with concentration, especially for removing disruptive thoughts during meditation — promoting serenity and reducing stress. These tranquil vibes also make it a popular sleep aid!

Struggling with negative thoughts? Danburite’s high vibrations are helpful in activating your intellect and higher consciousness, instilling patience and peace of mind. Wearing a danburite crystal necklace during meditation will vanquish negativity and calm the mind.

On a deeper level, danburite opens your heart and balances your emotions. It can ease suffering and encourage acceptance for yourself and others. It also helps clear unwanted feelings from the past so you can move forward better, stronger, and more fit to deal with susceptible situations.

Chakra Healing

Chakra healing is a form of energy healing with a focus on channeling energy into the seven chakras, or energy points. While some chakra stones are only associated with a singular chakra, danburite gemstones are a triple threat — helping to open the heart, third eye, and crown chakras.  However, it’s particularly attuned to crown chakra healing.

The crown chakra, located at the top of your head, is responsible for spiritual awareness, enlightenment, and purpose. When open, it keeps all your chakras in balance bringing bliss and enlightenment. However, blockages result in narrow-mindedness and skepticism. Wear a danburite necklace or earrings to help attune your crown chakra for spiritual growth. 

Spiritual Healing / Balancing Energy 

Danburite gemstone’s high vibration helps in elevating your consciousness and connecting you with the divine. It also acts as a “karmic cleanser,” facilitating positive changes as you move forward and develop into your best self.

Similar to moldavite, danburite helps you resonate with your highest frequency. However, it is much more gentle than moldavite, easing you into that higher spiritual vibration delicately. 

It’s also strongly connected to the energies of Reiki, an ancient Tibetan energy-healing practice that uses gentle touch to promote relaxation and ease stress.  Danburite beads are often used in Reiki because of their high-frequency light energy, said to bring resonance with Reiki’s healing vibrations. 

They say what goes around, comes around, and that rings true for danburite! You have to be wary of harmful intentions when meditating or manifesting with a  danburite gemstone, as they can come back and haunt you in the future. 

Danburite Gemstone Properties

In addition to their beauty, durability, and scarcity, gemstones are characterized by several factors: color, cut, clarity, and weight. These characteristics help determine how they can be used and worked with. They also help to determine whether they’re precious or semi-precious. Let’s get into what makes danburite the rare, semi-precious gem we know it to be!

Color

Danburite’s colorless profile often resembles clear quartz or topaz, but with a prismatic and distinctive chisel-shaped top. Colorless to white stones are most abundant, followed by gray, yellow, and pink as the rarest and most expensive.

Cut

Thanks to its hardness, danburite can generally be cut into any shape including faceted cuts like cushion, round, pear, and emerald. Gem cutters may also create danburite cabochons or beads. It’s often faceted into gems with a glass-like luster, although cut stones might lack the “fire” (colorful sparkle) of other fine crystals.

Most danburite gemstone cuts range from 1-5 ct. Larger faceted cuts are rare making them more valuable and sought after.

Clarity

There isn’t a GIA-official colored gemstone clarity grade for danburite, but it falls under the Type 1 classification — meaning it has an eye-clean clarity. Danburite tends to have some inclusions in shapes like fingerprints (healed fractures) and hollow growth tubes. 

Carat Weight

Danburites, especially colorless specimens from Mexico, typically range between 1-5 cts in size. Yellow gems from Myanmar range are very rare and range between 7-10 cts. Natural, pink danburite of any size is the rarest and usually most valuable.

So where is danburite found anyway?

Danburite Formation & Sources

Danburite is formed in various geological environments, but mostly by contact with metamorphic rocks under extremely high temperatures.

While danburite was first discovered in Danbury, Connecticut, the city’s growth did away with the locality building houses over the original mine. Danburite from Danbury is rare and highly valued by collectors!

So where is danburite mined today? 

Most of the danburite for sale today comes from Mexico. Natural, pale pink danburite gemstones only come from the famous La Aurora Mine in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Other danburite mines are in: 

• Bolivia

• Burma

• Japan

• Madagascar

• Myanmar

• Russia

• Switzerland

Now that you know where to find it,  what is danburite worth?

Danburite Price & Value

Looking to snag some danburite? Then you might wonder:  is danburite expensive?

While it’s more affordable than diamonds, the danburite price isn’t necessarily cheap. As with most gems, danburite price per carat varies by color, cut, and clarity. 

Colorless danburite gemstones are the most abundant and affordable. Although they resemble diamonds, they only retail for about $50 per carat. Danburite gems over 15 cts are rarer and can retail for as high as $115 per carat.

Gray or smoky danburite is valued higher, retailing for about $70 for 1.9 cts. Larger gems over 15 cts can go for as high as $140 per carat.

Next in value is yellow danburite. Smaller gems can retail for $75 per carat. Gems over 10 cts are extremely rare and can sell for upwards of $180 per carat.

The most valued danburite is light to pale pink. Natural, pale pink danburite in sizes up to 1.9 cts retail for up to $100 per carat. Gems over 10 cts are rare, retailing at $190 per carat. 

Gems over 20 cts are extremely rare and can retail for over $240 per carat. However, a truly colorless danburite gemstone would surpass even a yellow or pink gem in value. 

Uncut and unpolished raw danburite typically retails for less starting at approximately $1-2 per carat. 

So why is danburite expensive? The world’s overall volume of danburite gemstones is fairly low in comparison to other gems, making danburite a rare and highly sought-after commodity. 

So you finally scored a danburite bracelet, but how do you maintain its brilliance?

Danburite Care and Maintenance

While danburite is a strong and resilient crystal, it’s not immune to damage. Luckily, caring for your gems doesn’t require too much special care.

The safest way to clean your danburite gemstones is to wipe them down gently with a soft, non-abrasive cloth soaked in warm water and mild soap. Be sure to rinse them carefully removing any soapy residue. Ultrasonic cleaners are typically safe, but avoid using them on danburite to be cautious. 

Here are more tips to keep your danburite looking as beautiful as the day you bought it:

• Avoid heat

• Avoid extreme temperature changes

• Avoid steam cleaners

• Avoid close contact with harder gemstones

• Don’t wear while performing labor-intensive tasks

• Store in a dark, cool place away from other gems

• Use a fabric-lined box for extra protection

Dazzled by Danburite?

Danburite gemstones are highly spiritual crystals aiding in your path to enlightenment. Not only do they unlock the crown chakra, harmonizing it with the heart, but the beautiful luster and ethereal appearance are the perfect alternatives to other high-priced colorless gems like diamonds. Seeking a little inner peace and decompression? Danburite’s pure love energy may be calling your name. 

Ready to stop hiding in the shadows and let your divine light shine?

Buy danburite gemstones today and unleash your inner power!

Danburite