Morganite

Morganite is a member of the beryl family, loved for its delicate, soft pink to peachy hues. With excellent brilliance and a vitreous lustre, morganite offers a sweet alternative to traditional pink gemstones, such as pink sapphire. Traces of manganese cause morganite's colour, differentiating it from aquamarine, emerald and heliodor, which are also part of the beryl family.

Chemical Composition: Beryllium aluminium silicate

Crystal System: Hexagonal

Refractive Index: 1.56 - 1.60

Specific Gravity: 2.71 - 2.90

Double Refraction: 0.003 - 0.010

Mohs Hardness: 7.5

Lustre: Vitreous

Morganite is sourced from Brazil, Nigeria, Madagascar, and the United States, among other places. Some of the finest morganite specimens, known for their intense pink tones, originate from Brazil. Madagascar is another key source, producing larger and well-formed crystals highly sought after in the jewellery market.

Morganite is a perfect choice for an engagement ring. With a hardness of 7.5, it offers enough durability for daily wear but requires some care to avoid knocks. Designing a morganite jewellery piece with a protective setting, such as a bezel setting or diamond halo, can help shield the stone's beauty. Regular cleaning and mindful handling will ensure your morganite ring remains radiant for years to come.

Morganite's value, like every coloured precious gemstone, is determined by its colour, clarity, size, and origin. The most valuable morganites exhibit a strong pink hue without brown or yellow undertones. Stones with high transparency and minimal inclusions are especially prized. Larger carat sizes with excellent colour saturation are rare and naturally command higher prices in the gemstone market.

Many morganites undergo heat treatment to enhance their pink tones by removing orange or yellowish hues. This process is stable and permanent, ensuring that the gemstone retains its beautiful colour over time. Irradiation is another treatment that morganite is subject to to enrich its colour. The irradiation process takes place over many months, and the colour is somewhat stable upon completion. However, a small amount of fading may happen over time. While untreated morganite does exist, its colour can be pale, and it is not used in jewellery-grade pieces.

The rarest morganites are those with a deep, saturated pink hue, called 'rose morganite.' These are significantly less common than the more peach-toned varieties. Morganite from Brazil and Madagascar, known for its rich colour and exceptional clarity, is among the most sought-after in the gemstone world. Large, top-quality morganite specimens over 10 carats are scarce and valuable.

Morganite is not an official birthstone. However, other members of the Beryl family are. Aquamarine and emerald, which belong in the same family as morganite, are the birthstones for March and May.

Morganite is called the 'stone of divine love' because of its association with the heart and emotional healing. It is thought to inspire compassion, enhance relationships, and encourage a sense of peace and joy. Many wearers choose morganite as a symbol of love, making it a meaningful gemstone for engagements, anniversaries, and sentimental jewellery pieces.

Natural morganite is typically eye-clean with very few inclusions. Synthetic morganite is rare, but some imitations, such as pink glass or synthetic spinel, may be marketed as morganite. To ensure your morganite is natural, it is best to purchase from a reputable gem dealer and, if in doubt, seek verification from a gem lab.