What is Danburite?
If you’ve never heard of Danburite before, you’re likely not alone. The reason why it might not sound slightly familiar is that Danburite is considered a rare collector’s gemstone. Since it is still relatively undiscovered in the jewellery world, precious pieces set with gem-quality Danburite are not yet widely available. However, its popularity is on the rise. Danburite is an excellent choice for unique, high-end jewellery due to its clarity, durability, and brilliance. In its second-most valuable colour—yellow—it is also a cost-effective alternative to a yellow diamond, especially at times when size matters.
Our beautiful danburite and diamond daisy ring is perfect for someone looking for something that is unique yet elegant. This cocktail ring boasts a 1.645ct round Danburite with a floral halo of small white diamonds.
Yellow Danburite
When designing custom jewellery, one of the most exciting parts of the experience is choosing the gemstones that are going to be incorporated in the final design. Every gemstone tells its own story, and those that you end up choosing will add to the overall feel and sentiment of the piece. When you are thinking of adding joy and warmth to your jewellery, nothing does the trick quite like rich yellow gold paired with a bright yellow gemstone.
There are many choices when you want to incorporate yellow gemstones into your jewellery pieces, of which the most commonly used and the most well-known are yellow Diamonds, yellow Sapphires, and semi-precious Citrines. However, if you are looking for something truly special and unique, the award-winning designers at Mark Solomon Jewellers will undoubtedly recommend Danburite. This rare gemstone will surely be a conversation starter, especially since a deep yellow can be reminiscent of a canary yellow Diamond at a fraction of the cost.
Danburite can be found in a variety of colours, including pale yellow, honey, brown, white, and a very rare and valuable pink. This is not a gemstone that is very prominent in the South African jewellery scene. However, at Mark Solomon Jewellers, we appreciate Danburite for its individuality, subtle elegance and non-mainstream exclusivity. That is why we have one of the largest selections of certified yellow Danburites in various hues, shapes, and sizes in South Africa.
Danburite is valued for its attractive clarity, soft vitreous lustre, and respectable hardness (7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale). While it serves as an elegant and accessible yellow gemstone alternative to yellow diamonds and yellow sapphires, it is noticeably softer than sapphire (Mohs 9) or diamond (Mohs 10) and benefits from thoughtful care during daily wear. It is important to avoid harsh chemicals when wearing a Danburite ring, and steam cleaning should be avoided to protect the gemstone from thermal shock (sudden, drastic temperature changes), which can cause internal cracking.
Our Selection of Loose Yellow Danburites
A Brief History
Danburite was named after the city of Danbury, where it was first discovered by American mineralogist Charles Upham Shepard in 1839. After its discovery in Connecticut, in the USA, Danburite remained under the radar, never truly earning a strong historical or symbolic narrative. Other ‘newly discovered’ gemstones, such as tsavorite and tanzanite, were the focus of huge marketing campaigns and became instantly recognisable. Sadly, Danburite hasn’t yet had its time in the spotlight. So, even though Danburite is scarce geologically, it still has very low consumer awareness.
While the mineral itself is not rare, the primary reason for Danburite’s rarity is the fact that large pieces that can be faceted into quality gemstones are not very common. Interestingly, the first discovery in Danbury yielded no gem-quality material. Since then, Danburite has been found in locations all over the world. According to the International Gem Society, the largest source of gem-quality Danburite is currently Mexico, with other sources of gem-grade material including Russia, Madagascar and sometimes Japan.
Our Danburite
Elevate your jewellery collection with Danburite pieces from our selection of fine jewellery. This classically designed Diamond & Danburite Necklace, set with a 1.83ct teardrop Danburite and white & yellow Diamonds, is the epitome of elegance.
If you would like to have your very own Danburite ring designed, visit our Sea Point showroom for an obligation-free consultation, or contact us to find out more about our selection of loose gemstones. With award-winning designers and master goldsmiths on our premises, we can work together on a truly special bespoke design.
