Morganite

Morganite is beryl, the same mineral as aquamarine and emerald, coloured pink by a trace of manganese. Its colours are gentle: blush pink, rose, peach and salmon. It is harder than quartz, often clean, and grows in large crystals, so a sizeable, bright morganite is within reach.

Morganite is an African discovery. The first gem pink beryl came from Madagascar, which still sets the standard for its colour, and Mozambique now supplies some large stones.

Where the name comes from

In December 1910 the gemmologist George Kunz of Tiffany & Co. proposed the name morganite in honour of his friend and client J.P. Morgan, the American banker and collector.

The colours

• Pink and rose: the most fashionable today; the stronger the pink, the more valuable.
• Peach and salmon: the colour of many untreated stones, loved by some collectors.
• Pale blush: light tones are the most common; larger stones tend to show stronger colour.

Treatments, honestly

Almost all morganite is gently heated to remove yellow and orange tints and leave a cleaner pink. The change cannot be detected, and the colour is stable: it does not fade. Some stones are also irradiated to deepen the colour. Untreated peach morganite is prized by some collectors for exactly that reason. We tell you what we know about each stone before you buy it.

How to judge a morganite

• Colour first. The strongest pinks are the most valuable; most morganite is light.
• Expect it clean. Faceted morganite is usually clean to the eye.
• The cut matters. Morganite shows a slightly different pink from different angles, and pale crystals are cut deep to intensify the colour.
• Size helps the colour. Larger stones show deeper pink, and matched pairs cost more.

Caring for your morganite

Morganite is 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale and suits everyday rings. Clean it in warm water with a little mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid steam and harsh chemicals, and store it apart from harder gems.

At a glance

Mineral	Beryl (beryllium aluminium silicate), pink variety
Hardness	7.5 – 8 Mohs
Colours	Pink, rose, peach, salmon
From	Madagascar, Mozambique; also Namibia; most from Brazil
Treatments	Almost always heated; sometimes irradiated. Disclosed per stone
Care	Warm soapy water, soft brush. No steam