What is Danalite?
Danalite is an iron-rich beryllium silicate of the helvite group, found mainly in granitic pegmatites and contact-metamorphic rocks.
Mineralogy and structure
The reference formula is FeBe3Si3O12. Danalite is cubic and part of the helvite group, which includes helvite and genthelvite. Iron content contributes to its brown to red-brown appearance.
Colour and appearance
Typical colours include yellow-brown, brown, red-brown. Its dodecahedral, granular, massive habit and vitreous, resinous lustre are useful descriptive features, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and localities
Danalite forms in or is associated with beryllium-rich granite pegmatites, skarns and hydrothermal greisens. Important documented localities include Norway, Sweden, Russia, the United States and Brazil.
Collecting and care
Danalite is best kept as a labelled reference or collector specimen. Protect fragile crystals from impact and avoid cutting or grinding unknown material. Lead-, arsenic-, vanadium- and copper-bearing specimens are for display and careful handling only.
Danalite in popular symbolism
Some modern crystal guides associate Danalite with zodiac signs or symbolic themes based on colour, locality or collecting tradition. These associations vary between sources and are cultural interpretations, not mineralogical or medical properties.
