Morganite

Morganite is a member of the Beryl family. Other beryls are Emerald and Aquamarine. Morganites come in pink colors from a pale pink to peach and salmon. It is less brittle than Emerald, making it a desirable gem for special occasion wear.

Morganite was first discovered in California in the early 20th century and later on also in Madagascar. Though there are also small deposits in Brazil, Mozambique, Namibia, Afghanistan, and Russia. But quality morganite remains relatively rare.

 

 

 

Morganite grades:

Like most colored gemstones morganites are graded on a letter scale.

 

B        Light pink color; included; good cut

A        Medium to light pink color; slightly included; good cut

AA      Light to medium light pink; eye clean; good cut

AAA    Medium to dark pink color; eye clean; good cut

Morganites soft pink colors range from peach, peachy-pink, pink, and violet pink, as well as a pretty salmon color. The more saturated the color, the more valuable the gem is. The gentle pink hue of Morganite is due to traces of manganese. Like almost any colored gemstone, morganite is valued first and primarily on the intensity and saturation of its color, followed by size and clarity.

 

Care

Morganite is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water. Avoid cleaning in ultrasonic or with a steamer as the gem can not tolerate heat and abrupt temperature changes.

 

Morganites have a hardness of 7.5 to 8. They are fairly scratch resistant, but will abrade over time if worn every day in an engagement or wedding ring. They may need to be repolished or recut after years of wear.

 

Major Sources

Afghanistan   Basil   Madagascar  United States