DANBURITE

 

Danburite is a calcium borosilicate mineral (CaB2(SiO4)2) that shares many of the same physical properties with topaz.  It has a nonmetallic, glassy luster, ranges in color from clear to white to gray to yellow to brown to pink, has a white streak, is quite hard (H = 7 to 7.5), and has long, prismatic crystals with poor cleavage (cf. good cleavage in topaz).  Danburite has been reported from contact metamorphosed limestones, metamorphosed evaporites, hydrothermal veins, and occurs in some granites.

 

Danburite from the La Aurora Mine, San Luis Potosi, Mexico (CSM # 53641, Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, Golden, Colorado, USA).

 


 

Photo gallery of danburite

 


 

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