Danburite (rare matrix specimen)

Item Description

Danburite truly is not considered to be a rare species, but there honestly are not many localities around the world where fine crystals are found. It cannot be debated that without a doubt, the best crystallized examples of Danburite are found at Charcas, Mexico. The best crystals from this locality are large, often water-clear with high luster and are true classics from Mexico. This specimen features an aesthetic group a sharp, well-formed, lustrous, gemmy/translucent, nearly colorless (VERY pale pink) prisms of Danburite, aesthetically sitting on matrix. The largest crystal measures 6.2 cm long. Minor roughness in a few spots, but the piece is in good shape overall. You don't see many matrix examples of this material, especially with multiple crystals together on matrix like this. A lovely example of these world-class Danburites, in an attractive display specimen.
This piece comes from the personal collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman, the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. Dave is now retired from mining, but he worked for decades in various mines underground in Colorado, as a miner, mechanic, engineer, shift boss and foreman. His biggest claim to fame is that he was the foreman and the primary person in charge of mining and specimen recovery at the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado in the 1970s alongside his son-in-law, Rich Kosnar. This project what was the FIRST ever operation for specimen recovery at this historic locality. A full-page photograph of Dave can be seen mining underground at the Sweet Home in on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".