Your partner will blush the color of morganite the minute they slip this stunning, pinkish gemstone on their finger. If you haven’t heard of morganite, we’re not surprised. This stone has only been fashionable for about a decade. That’s why we’re here to tell you more!
What is Morganite?
You could say morganite is a cousin to emerald and aquamarine, as all three of these gems belong to the beryl mineral family. Just like its beryl cousins, morganite appears very clear, often with minimal imperfections. What sets this version apart is its orange-pink color, which it gets from the presence of manganese.
In its natural form, morganite is typically light in color with yellow and orange tones. If you see deeper pink gems, they have likely undergone heat treatments to enhance their color and remove noticeable hints of orange and yellow. Size also plays a role in morganite’s shade. Gems smaller than 2 carats tend to be lighter and more common, while larger stones have a richer hue and are considered high quality. Experts therefore recommend choosing at least a 2-carat stone for your engagement ring or other piece of jewelry. But gems boasting the perfect shade of pink could be rare.
Now, you might be wondering whether you could afford 2 carats of morganite. Good news! This gem is more budget-friendly than diamonds. For reference, 1 carat of morganite could cost around $300 compared to $2,000 or more for a 1-carat diamond.
Pro Tip: When shopping for your piece of morganite, keep in mind that two types can be found on the market: natural and lab grown. As you may have guessed, natural morganite was formed beneath the Earth’s surface. Lab grown morganite, on the other hand, has the same characteristics as natural stones, but it’s created in laboratories and therefore cheaper.
You should also be aware of imitation morganite — gems that simply look like morganite. Some retailers might try to pass these off as real morganite, so make sure to ask your jeweler for an official gemstone certificate/report.
History of Morganite
Unlike other gemstones that have been around for centuries, morganite wasn’t discovered until the early 1900s in Madagascar. At first, it was simply referred to as pink or rose beryl. Soon after, mineral collector George Frederick Kunz, who also served as Tiffany & Co.’s chief gemologist, suggested the name “morganite” to the New York Academy of Sciences. The rest is history.
But the stone itself didn’t start becoming fashionable until a century later! Some gem experts think its limited supply and pale color hindered its growth. However, additional morganite deposits have since been found in Brazil, Afghanistan, Namibia, Mozambique and the U.S., particularly California and Maine. Now, morganite is among the most popular stone choices for engagement rings!
Fun Morganite Facts
● This gem ranges between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale – a scale that ranks the durability of diamonds, gemstones and other minerals. That means your morganite jewelry is durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear.
● Since morganite is also a pleochroic stone, it displays slightly different shades of pink, depending on the viewing angle.
● Morganite is named after financier and investment banker J.P. Morgan, who was also known for collecting gems in the early 1900s. Some of his impressive collections were donated to the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the Museum of Natural History in Paris.
● Most faceted morganite weighs less than 2 carats, but some natural crystals found in Brazil have weighed up to 22 pounds!
● Certain retailers refer to morganite as “pink emerald,” but that’s misleading! Although morganite and emeralds have similar qualities, they’re different gems!
● Due to its pink color, morganite is said to represent romance, sweetness and innocence. While this stone works well with all types of metal, it looks particularly stunning with rose gold.
● “The Rose of Maine,” one of the biggest morganite crystals on record was uncovered in Maine in 1989. The stone featured subtle orange tones and weighed more than 50 pounds! Once cut, the stone produced several faceted gems, one being a 184-carat gem that’s now housed at the Maine State Museum.
Shop Our Favorite Morganite Jewelry
Ainsley Oval Morganite Halo Ring
Charlotte Morganite Stud Earrings
Alexa Morganite Solitaire Ring
Have a question? We can help!
Gage Diamonds is Chicago's premier jewelry showroom and online retailer of engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. We offer a selection of dazzling morganite jewelry, from rings to necklaces.
We’re committed to helping you find the ring of your dreams. For inspiration, browse our website or set up an appointment with a member of our trusted staff at our in-person showroom.
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