What is morganite?

Morganite: The Pink Beryl

Morganite, also known as "pink emerald" or "rose beryl," is a relatively rare light pink to purplish-pink colored variety of beryl. Beryl is a mineral species that also includes emerald and aquamarine. Its delicate color makes it a popular choice for jewelry.

Key Characteristics:

• Color: The most desirable color of morganite is a strong, vibrant pink. However, it can range from pale pink to peach and salmon. The color is due to traces of manganese. Heat treatment is often used to improve the pink color by removing yellow or orange tints.
• Composition: Like other beryls, morganite is a beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate with the chemical formula Be3Al2(SiO3)6.
• Hardness: Morganite has a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making it relatively durable for jewelry use.
• Clarity: Morganite typically has good clarity, with few inclusions. Stones with high clarity and vivid color are the most valuable.
• Luster: Vitreous (glassy)
• Refractive Index: 1.562 – 1.602

Occurrence:

Morganite is found in a variety of locations around the world, including:

• Madagascar
• Brazil
• Afghanistan
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• United States (California, Maine)

Uses:

The primary use of morganite is in jewelry. It is often cut into faceted gemstones and used in rings, necklaces, earrings, and pendants. Due to its pleochroism, careful orientation during cutting can maximize the pink color.

Treatments:

Many morganite gemstones are heat treated to enhance their pink color. This treatment is generally stable and undetectable. Irradiation can also be used to deepen the color, but it is less common.

Value:

The value of morganite depends on several factors, including the intensity of the pink color, size, clarity, and cut. Stones with a vivid pink color and good clarity command the highest prices. Larger stones are also rarer and more valuable.