Danalite
A variety of Helvine Group
What is Danalite?
Danalite is an iron beryllium silicate sulfide mineral with formula: Fe4Be3(SiO4)3S. It is a rare mineral which occurs in granites, tin bearing pegmatites, contact metamorphic skarns, gneisses and in hydrothermal deposits. It occurs in association with magnetite, garnet, fluorite, albite, cassiterite, pyrite, muscovite, arsenopyrite, quartz, and chlorite. Danalite was first described in 1866 from a deposit in Essex County, Massachusetts and named for American mineralogist James Dwight Dana (1813–1895). It has been found in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Sierra County, New Mexico; Yavapai County, Arizona; Needlepoint Mountain, British Columbia; Walrus Island, James Bay, Quebec; Sweden; Cornwall, England; Imalka and Transbaikal, Russia; Kazakhstan; Somalia; Tasmania; Western Australia and Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Danalite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Pink, grey, yellow, reddish brown, red
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5.5 - 6
- Rock tumbling
- With care
- Density
- 3.36 g/cm³
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Be3Fe2+4(SiO4)3S
- Elements
- Be, Fe, O, S, Si
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Danalite FAQs
How do I identify Danalite?
Danalite can be identified by its hardness of 5.5 - 6 on the Mohs scale, Pink color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Danalite?
Danalite typically appears in Pink, grey, yellow, reddish brown, red. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Danalite?
Danalite has a hardness of 5.5 - 6 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.