Danburite with Calcite

specimen number:
8311420

location:
Charcas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico

description:

A colorless to slightly pinkish partly gemmy lustrous grouping of terminated danburite crystals with minor calcite. The danburite crystals are in very good condition all around. The scalenohedral calcite crystals are slightly cleaved in some areas.

The Charcas mining district, located in the northern part of the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, is a world-renowned mineralogical site situated within the Mesa Central province. Geologically, the deposit is a complex polymetallic skarn and hydrothermal vein system formed by the intrusion of Eocene-aged granodiorite into Cretaceous limestones. This environment facilitated the growth of exceptional danburite, a calcium boron silicate mineral that typically occurs here as large, colorless to pale pink, prismatic crystals with a high vitreous luster and characteristic wedge-shaped terminations. Historically, the region has been an active mining center since the Spanish colonial period, with the discovery of silver-lead-zinc ores dating back to approximately 1573. Large-scale industrial operations, primarily focused on zinc extraction, were modernized in the early 20th century and have continued under various entities, most notably Industrial Minera Mexico (IMMSA). While the mines are major industrial producers of base metals, they have consistently provided the international market with what are considered the finest danburite specimens in the world. As of 2026, the Charcas district remains a prolific and active mining hub, with deep underground workings continuing to yield both essential industrial ores and superb mineralogical treasures.

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