Morganite is a prominent member of the multi-colored Beryl group. Beryls are hard minerals consisting of Beryllium aluminum silicate. Morganite generally has a very elegant, feminine pink color, but can have flashes of purple or even light orange as well. It has in the past been known as Pink Beryl. The name Morganite was bestowed in the year 1911, when New York gemstone expert G.F. Kunz suggested giving Pink Beryl its own status as a stone apart from Beryl. It was re-named in honor of banker and minerals collector John Pierport Morgan.

Pure Beryl is colorless. However, due to its hexagonal structure it is able to integrate other elements such as, e.g., iron, manganese, chromium or vanadium. If manganese is embedded in Beryl, it is turned into a pink Morganite. Morganite has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs’ scale. This makes it extremely durable.

Morganite is thought to relieve stress and provide clarity. One cannot fail to feel “la vie en rose” with this stone.

Morganite is best selected in larger cuts, which bring out its inherent beauty. A Morganite showing fine inclusions can be considered quite valuable. The quality of the cut is more important in deciding a stone to purchase.

Morganite is mainly mined in Brazil, Madagascar, Afghanistan and California.