Morganit

Morganite is a pink to orange-pink variety of beryl, a mineral that includes emerald and aquamarine.

The soft color of morganite is caused by traces of manganese. Because morganite has a strong pleochroism – pale pink and deeper bluish pink – it is necessary to carefully orient when creating a coarse mass. The strong color of morganite is rare and gemstones usually have to be large to achieve the finest possible color.

Like many gemstones found in pegmatites, morganite can form large crystals. Miners in Brazil have found crystals as large as 22 pounds. (10 kg). The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, contains two faceted gemstones weighing 236 ct. at 250 ct. in his collection. Although morganite is rarer than aquamarine, large cut stones are readily available on the market today. This is probably because morganite has not been promoted by the public as far as aquamarine or emeralds.

Most of the morganite on the market comes from the pegmatite mines at Minas Gerais in Brazil. Afghanistan, Mozambique, Namibia and the United States were less significant and inconsistent sources. Even though it is only a small manufacturer today, Madagascar’s original bearing still sets the standard for the best material. The yield of purple coarse material at this point was better than crystals from other sources.