Rock Review: Morganite

Rainy November days can have you longing for a bit of cheer, which is why today’s rock review features the lovely Morganite.

Geology Buzz

Morganite comes from the Beryl family of gems. Beryls are beryllium aluminum silicate compounds. Pure Beryls are clear, however, the presence of other elements can change the color of the gemstone. When Manganese combines with Beryl, it produces a lovely subtle pink color that becomes more noticeable in larger gemstones. This makes size an important factor in selecting an Morganite gemstone. If the carat is small or the cut poor, the pink color is more difficult to see. Big and bright stones are the best choices to feature the gems unique traits. Occasionally orange and yellow tones can be found in this variety of Beryl also, often with color banding present.

Morganite registers a 7.5 to 8 on Moh’s scale of hardness. This makes it an ideal choice for any type of jewelry, including rings and bracelets.

Fun Facts

Until 1911 Morganite was simply known as Pink Beryl. It was named for business tycoon J.P. Morgan, who also happened to be a gem collector.

Gem healers use Morganite as a mood booster because it helps a wearer to concentrate on the brighter side of life, even in stressful times. It also radiates calming and relaxing vibes.

One of the largest Morganite stones ever found is called the Rose of Maine, and was found in 1989 at the Bennet Quarry in Buckfield Maine. It measured 9 inches long and 12 inches across, weighing in at just over 50 pounds. Now that’s a whopper!