Morganite is the rare pink-orange form of beryl, a mineral family that includes well-known gems such as emerald and aquamarine. Morganite is a good hard gem with a lovely pastel color that has become a popular jewelry stone.
Morganite was first discovered in Madagascar in 1910 and named in honor of J.P. Morgan (1837-1913), the American banker and philanthropist, by the New York Academy of Sciences. George F. Kunz, the famous gemologist who headed the geological section of the Academy, noted that Morgan was honored especially for his gift of several major gem collections to museums such as the American Museum of Natural History.
All the members of the beryl family are beryllium aluminum silicates by chemical composition. The different beryl colors are the result of trace elements. Emerald is colored green by chromium and vanadium, while aquamarine is colored blue by traces of iron. Golden or yellow beryl is also colored by traces of iron. Morganite derives its peach or pink color from manganese, though Morganite specimens typically contain traces of cesium and lithium as well.
Morganite, like other beryls, is quite a hard gem, with a Mohs rating of 7.5 to 8.0. Beryl has a refractive index of 1.577 to 1.583 and a density of 2.72.
In general, Morganite tends to have much fewer inclusions than emerald, so eye clean specimens are common. Morganite colors range from a peach orange to salmon pink to a pure pink. The color is nearly always a soft pastel and saturated colors are quite rare.
A pure pink is the rarest and most valuable color in Morganite. We have just cut a number of beautiful pinks from some exceptional rough material from Brazil, in sizes ranging from 2.5 to 16 carats. These are mainly ovals and cushions, perfect for rings or pendants.
See our collection of Fine Morganite
Notable Gems from the AJS Collection
This month we feature fine Beryls from our collection, including Morganite, Aquamarine, Mint Beryl and Emerald. Click on any photo to view the details for the gem.
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9.78 ct Pink Morganite from Brazil [SOLD]
A rare Pink Morganite with excellent saturation in a big size! This is beautifully clean material that has been expertly fashioned in an elegant cushion with a portuguese cut. This is an impressive gem with full fire and brilliance. Guaranteed natural and untreated.
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A very rare Trapiche Emerald from Colombia! This is a top specimen with a translucent green body color and symmetrical radial inclusions. Not only exceptionally rare, these unusual emeralds are strkingly beautiful. A splendid addition to your collection and a unique jewelry stone.
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A lovely matched pair of oval Aquamarines in a perfect size for a special pair of earrings. Fine deep sky blue color, perfect clarity and precision cutting make these an exceptional pair. Guaranteed natural and untreated. |
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An unusual and unique matched pair of fine beryls -- 2 aquamarines and 2 morganites. These elegant pears are beautifully matched and completely clean, and will make a gorgeous set of drop earrings. One pair of matching aquamarine/morganite is 7.55 cts (16.38 x 7.64 x 5.87 mm) while the other matching pair is 6.45 cts (14.98 x 7.25 x 6.08 mm). Truly a one-of-a-kind set for the colored gemstone collector ... guaranteed natural and untreated. |
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15.03 ct Mint Beryl from Brazil [SOLD]
A stunning large Mint Beryl from Brazil in a unusual fancy cut. Perfectly cut and completely clean, this is fine gem material with a lovely blue-green color. It has been precision cut and beautifully polished in a unique shape that will be perfect for an impressive one-of-a-kind pendant. A real treasure for any collection. Guaranteed natural and untreated. |
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7.09 ct Pink Morganite from Brazil [SOLD]
A superb Pink Morganite in a precision Asscher Cut! This 7 carat Morganite has it all -- top clarity, top color, perfect cutting and perfect proportions. This will set up beautifully in an elegant ring for a special occasion. Guaranteed natural and untreated. |
News from AJS and the Gems World
A Very Rare Pink 16 ct Malaia Garnet
We are pleased to announce the latest addition to our rare gem collection, a 16.55 ct Malaia Garnet from Madagascar, with a special report from GIA.
Malaia (or Malaya) Garnet is a rare hybrid of pyrope and spessartite garnets. It is typically found in a cinnamon color. Pink Malaia garnets with a pink-red color shift are very rare, and have mainly been found in Bekily in Madagascar.
The rare pink Malaia garnets usually occur only in small sizes (1 to 2 cts), so this exceptional 16.55 ct specimen is particularly rare. It has been certified by Gemological Institute of America (GIA) with a special Notable Letter documenting its extreme rarity.
See the GIA Report and Notable Letter for the 16.55 ct Malaia Garnet
Closeout Gems from AJS
Take advantage of bargain prices on high quality natural gems from the AJS collection! We've just added hundreds of new gems to our special values section. We have single stones, lots and carvings in a huge variety of colors and sizes. A great way to get started with collecting and jewelry-making!
See our selection of Closeout Gems
Ask the Gem Experts
Each month we answer questions from our customers. We welcome your questions and you can submit a question from our contact page.
Are gem silica chrysocolla and chrysocolla the same gemstone? I find the names confusing, but I am looking for a chrysocolla that is hard enough for jewelry. DC, USA
The name are indeed confusing, and this is perhaps why the more valuable Gem Silica Chrysocolla is usually referred to as Gem Silica in the trade, to distinguish it from the more common forms of Chrysocolla.
Members of the Chrysocolla family range in colored from deep blue to blue-green, colored by traces of copper. They have a wide variation in Mohs hardness, ranging from 2 to 7, because of differences in chemical composition. Chrysocolla Chalcedony is a heavily silicified form of chrysocolla that forms in quartz deposits and can be very hard. This variety is known in the trade as Gem Silica, with particularly fine examples with excellent translucency coming from the Inspiration Mine in Arizona, USA.
See our collection of Gem Silica Chrysocolla
All the best in gems,
May, Arnold, Rung & Ron
