Morganite

Pink to brownish orange variety of beryl.

Morganite shop

Origin of name: after the American banker and entrepreneur J.P. Morgan.

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Two pink morganites from Brazil (left) and Pakistan

morganit morganite rosa beryll pink berylmorganit morganite rosa beryll pink berylmorganit morganite rosa beryll pink beryl
Brownish-orange morganites from Brazil.
The largest stone weighs 69.29cts

Synonyms and trade names: pink beryl, rose beryl and, wrongly, pink emerald

Can be confused with: other pink gems such as kunzite and tourmaline

Localities: the most important deposits are located in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Other deposits in the USA, in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Russia, Madagascar and Mocambique.

Handling: morganite, like all beryls, is heat-sensitive. Can fade at 500°C. Be careful during soldering. Avoid abrupt temperature changes.

Worth knowing: most morganites are heat-treated and/or irradiated to improve colour.

Morganite shop

Gemmological Properties of Morganite

Formula:
Be3Al2(Si6O18)
Crystal system:
hexagonal
Mohs hardness:
7.5-8
Specific gravity:
2.67-2.71
Refractive index:
birefringent 1.577-1.583
Max. Birefringence:
0.006
Dispersion:
0.014
Pleochroism:
distinct, pale pink to bluish pink
Luminiscence:
inert to pale pink or purplish
Lustre:
vitreous
Cleavage:
none to imperfect
Fracture:
conchoidal uneven
Colour:
pink to brownish orange