In 1839 American mineralogist Charles Upham Shephard discovered a clear, bright, colorless gemstone in Danbury, Connecticut, and named it danburite after the location. Unfortunately for danburite, it was discovered at a time when colored gemstones were heavily promoted and highly desired. This colorless find, therefore, didn't create much excitement at that time. Danburite, which belongs to a class of minerals known as silicates, remained relatively unknown for years, but is steadily growing in popularity today.