Chemistry:Morganite (gem): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Beryl variety}}
{{Infobox mineral
{{Infobox mineral
|boxbgcolor= #FCD3D7
|name    = Morganite
|name    = Morganite
|image    = Beryl-178682.jpg
|image    = Beryl-178682.jpg
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|mohs    = 7.5 to 8}}
|mohs    = 7.5 to 8}}


'''Morganite''' is an orange or pink variety of [[Chemistry:Beryl|beryl]] and is also a [[Earth:Gemstone|gemstone]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Morganite: The orange to pink gem with growing popularity|url=https://geology.com/gemstones/morganite/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=geology.com}}</ref> Morganite is mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, Namibia, the United States, and {{wipe|Madagascar}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Morganite Description|url=https://www.gia.edu/morganite-description|access-date=2021-08-31|website=www.gia.edu|language=en}}</ref>
'''Morganite''' is an orange or pink variety of [[Chemistry:Beryl|beryl]] and is also a [[Earth:Gemstone|gemstone]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Morganite: The orange to pink gem with growing popularity|url=https://geology.com/gemstones/morganite/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=geology.com}}</ref> Morganite is mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, Namibia, the United States, and [[Software:Madagascar|Madagascar]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Morganite Description|url=https://www.gia.edu/morganite-description|access-date=2021-08-31|website=www.gia.edu|language=en}}</ref>


Morganite has grown in popularity since 2010.<ref name=":1" /> ''Brides'' and CNN have listed it as a possible alternative to [[Chemistry:Diamond|diamond]] for engagement rings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=8 Diamond Alternatives to Consider for Your Engagement Ring|url=https://www.brides.com/diamond-alternatives-5186406|access-date=2021-11-20|website=Brides|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Murden|first=Banu Ibrahim,Kiana|date=2021-05-18|title=Planning to propose? Here are 23 expert-approved rings worth buying|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/cnn-underscored/best-engagement-rings/index.html|access-date=2021-11-20|website=CNN Underscored|language=en}}</ref>
Morganite has grown in popularity since 2010.<ref name=":1" /> ''Brides'' and CNN have listed it as a possible alternative to [[Chemistry:Diamond|diamond]] for engagement rings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=8 Diamond Alternatives to Consider for Your Engagement Ring|url=https://www.brides.com/diamond-alternatives-5186406|access-date=2021-11-20|website=Brides|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Murden|first=Banu Ibrahim, Kiana|date=2021-05-18|title=Planning to propose? Here are 23 expert-approved rings worth buying|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/cnn-underscored/best-engagement-rings/index.html|access-date=2021-11-20|website=CNN Underscored|language=en}}</ref>
 
It mostly occurs in association with minerals like: [[Chemistry:Albite|albite]], [[Chemistry:Albite|cleavelandite]], [[Chemistry:Quartz|quartz]], [[Chemistry:Aquamarine (gem)|aquamarine]], [[Chemistry:Elbaite|elbaite]], [[Chemistry:Lepidolite|lepidolite]], [[Chemistry:Tourmaline|schorl]], [[Chemistry:Tourmaline|tourmaline]] and [[Chemistry:Muscovite|muscovite]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morganite |url=https://www.mindat.org/min-2783.html |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=www.mindat.org}}</ref>


== Name ==
== Name ==
Morganite is named(1911) after J. P. Morgan.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Oldershaw|first=Cally|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wm_X_LzoN-cC&q=morganite&pg=PA128|title=Firefly Guide to Gems|date=2003|publisher=Firefly Books|isbn=978-1-55297-814-6|pages=128|language=en}}</ref>  
Following the discovery of a new locality for rose beryl in Madagascar in 1910, George Kunz proposed the name morganite at a meeting of the New York Academy of Sciences on 5 December 1910 to honour his friend and customer J.P. Morgan<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morganite History and Lore |url=https://www.gia.edu/morganite-history-lore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Galopim de Carvalho |first=Rui |title=Gempedia - a comprehensive glossary for gemstones and gemmology |publisher=AIGS |year=2024 |isbn=9789727809172 |publication-date=January 2024 |pages=439 |language=English}}</ref> for his financial support for the arts and sciences, and his important gifts of gems to the American Museum of Natural History in New York and to the Museum of Natural History in Paris. Morgan was one of the most important gem collectors in the early 1900s – his collection was partly assembled by Tiffany and Company and their chief gemmologist, Kunz.


Morganite is also known as '''pink beryl''', '''rose beryl''', '''pink emerald''', and "'''cesian''' (or '''''caesian''''') '''beryl'''".<ref name="color">{{cite web|title=Color in the beryl group|url=http://minerals.caltech.edu/FILES/Visible/BERYL/Index.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822012424/http://minerals.caltech.edu/FILES/Visible/BERYL/Index.htm|archive-date=2011-08-22|access-date=2009-06-06|website=minerals.caltech.edu|publisher=California Institute of Technology|department=Mineral Spectroscopy Server|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Morganite is also known as '''pink beryl''', '''rose beryl''', '''pink emerald''', and "'''cesian''' (or '''''caesian''''') '''beryl'''".<ref name="color">{{cite web|title=Color in the beryl group|url=http://minerals.caltech.edu/FILES/Visible/BERYL/Index.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822012424/http://minerals.caltech.edu/FILES/Visible/BERYL/Index.htm|archive-date=2011-08-22|access-date=2009-06-06|website=minerals.caltech.edu|publisher=California Institute of Technology|department=Mineral Spectroscopy Server|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
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== History ==
== History ==
Pink beryl of fine color and good sizes was first discovered on an island off the coast of Madagascar in 1910.<ref name="query.nytimes.com">{{cite news|date=1910-12-06|title=Gem named for Morgan; Newly discovered pink beryl is to be known as Morganite|newspaper={{wipe|The New York Times}}|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/12/06/102052382.pdf|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was also known, with other gemstone minerals, such as [[Chemistry:Tourmaline|tourmaline]] and kunzite, at Pala, California. In December 1910, the New York Academy of Sciences named the pink variety of beryl "morganite" after financier J. P. Morgan.<ref name="query.nytimes.com" />
Pink beryl of fine color and good sizes was first discovered on an island off the coast of Madagascar in 1910.<ref name="query.nytimes.com">{{cite news|date=1910-12-06|title=Gem named for Morgan; Newly discovered pink beryl is to be known as Morganite|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/12/06/102052382.pdf|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was also known, with other gemstone minerals, such as [[Chemistry:Tourmaline|tourmaline]] and kunzite, at Pala, California. In December 1910, the New York Academy of Sciences named the pink variety of beryl "morganite" after financier J. P. Morgan.<ref name="query.nytimes.com" />


On October 7, 1989, one of the largest gem morganite specimens ever uncovered, eventually called "The Rose of Maine", was found at the Bennett Quarry in Buckfield, Maine, US.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Harrison|first1=Donald K.|title=Minerals yearbook 1990|last2=Anderson|first2=Walter|last3=Foley|first3=Michael E.|publisher=US Bureau of Mines|year=1990|isbn=978-0-160-38183-6|volume=2|page=[http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/EcoNatRes/EcoNatRes-idx?type=turn&id=EcoNatRes.MinYB1990v2&entity=EcoNatRes.MinYB1990v2.p0245&isize=text 237]|chapter=The Mineral Industry of Maine|chapter-url=http://images.library.wisc.edu/EcoNatRes/EFacs2/MineralsYearBk/MinYB1990v2/reference/econatres.minyb1990v2.dharrison3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427015434/http://images.library.wisc.edu/EcoNatRes/EFacs2/MineralsYearBk/MinYB1990v2/reference/econatres.minyb1990v2.dharrison3.pdf|archive-date=2014-04-27|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The crystal, originally somewhat orange in hue, was {{convert|23|cm|0|abbr=on}} long and about {{convert|30|cm|0|abbr=on}} across, and weighed (along with its matrix) just over {{convert|50|lb|kg}}.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 6, 2005|title=The Rose of Maine|url=http://maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/minerals/guide/chapter5/bennett-3.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710012613/http://maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/minerals/guide/chapter5/bennett-3.htm|archive-date=2009-07-10|publisher=Maine Geological Survey|df=dmy-all}} Image of "The Rose of Maine" at the site of its discovery.</ref>
On October 7, 1989, one of the largest gem morganite specimens ever uncovered, eventually called "The Rose of Maine", was found at the Bennett Quarry in Buckfield, Maine, US.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Harrison|first1=Donald K.|title=Minerals yearbook 1990|last2=Anderson|first2=Walter|last3=Foley|first3=Michael E.|publisher=US Bureau of Mines|year=1990|isbn=978-0-160-38183-6|volume=2|page=[http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/EcoNatRes/EcoNatRes-idx?type=turn&id=EcoNatRes.MinYB1990v2&entity=EcoNatRes.MinYB1990v2.p0245&isize=text 237]|chapter=The Mineral Industry of Maine|chapter-url=http://images.library.wisc.edu/EcoNatRes/EFacs2/MineralsYearBk/MinYB1990v2/reference/econatres.minyb1990v2.dharrison3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427015434/http://images.library.wisc.edu/EcoNatRes/EFacs2/MineralsYearBk/MinYB1990v2/reference/econatres.minyb1990v2.dharrison3.pdf|archive-date=2014-04-27|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The crystal, originally somewhat orange in hue, was {{convert|23|cm|0|abbr=on}} long and about {{convert|30|cm|0|abbr=on}} across, and weighed (along with its matrix) just over {{convert|50|lb|kg}}.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 6, 2005|title=The Rose of Maine|url=http://maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/minerals/guide/chapter5/bennett-3.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710012613/http://maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/minerals/guide/chapter5/bennett-3.htm|archive-date=2009-07-10|publisher=Maine Geological Survey|df=dmy-all}} Image of "The Rose of Maine" at the site of its discovery.</ref>
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According to a 2017 survey, morganite is the second most popular non-diamond stone, after [[Chemistry:Sapphire|sapphire]]. A single carat of morganite can cost about $300.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Keiles|first=Jamie Lauren|date=2018-12-04|title=The pink engagement ring gemstone that everyone is buying but nobody is talking about|url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/12/4/18126188/morganite-engagement-ring-gemstone-diamond-alternative|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref>
According to a 2017 survey, morganite is the second most popular non-diamond stone, after [[Chemistry:Sapphire|sapphire]]. A single carat of morganite can cost about $300.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Keiles|first=Jamie Lauren|date=2018-12-04|title=The pink engagement ring gemstone that everyone is buying but nobody is talking about|url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/12/4/18126188/morganite-engagement-ring-gemstone-diamond-alternative|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref>


Morganite is one of the rarest members of the beryl family, second only to [[Chemistry:Red beryl|red beryl]]. Due to the scarcity of morganites, especially those of high quality, they tend to be among the most expensive per carat.<ref name=":0" /> Ones that are deep pink in color tend to be the most valuable.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Grande|first1=Lance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RnE9Fa4pbn0C&q=Morganite&pg=PA131|title=Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World|last2=Augustyn|first2=Allison|date=2009-11-15|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-30511-0|pages=131|language=en}}</ref>
Morganite is one of the rarest members of the beryl family, second only to [[Chemistry:Red beryl|red beryl]]. Due to the scarcity of morganites, especially those of high quality, they tend to be among the most expensive per carat.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Oldershaw |first=Cally |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wm_X_LzoN-cC&q=morganite&pg=PA128 |title=Firefly Guide to Gems |date=2003 |publisher=Firefly Books |isbn=978-1-55297-814-6 |pages=128 |language=en}}</ref> Ones that are deep pink in color tend to be the most valuable.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Grande|first1=Lance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RnE9Fa4pbn0C&q=Morganite&pg=PA131|title=Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World|last2=Augustyn|first2=Allison|date=2009-11-15|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-30511-0|pages=131|language=en}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 23:43, 13 August 2025

Morganite
Beryl-178682.jpg
Morganite from Brazil with inclusions of black schorl
General
Categoryberyl[1]
Formula
(repeating unit)
Be3Al2(Si6O18)
Identification
ColorPink
Mohs scale hardness7.5 to 8

Morganite is an orange or pink variety of beryl and is also a gemstone.[2] Morganite is mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, Namibia, the United States, and Madagascar.[3]

Morganite has grown in popularity since 2010.[2] Brides and CNN have listed it as a possible alternative to diamond for engagement rings.[4][5]

It mostly occurs in association with minerals like: albite, cleavelandite, quartz, aquamarine, elbaite, lepidolite, schorl, tourmaline and muscovite.[6]

Name

Following the discovery of a new locality for rose beryl in Madagascar in 1910, George Kunz proposed the name morganite at a meeting of the New York Academy of Sciences on 5 December 1910 to honour his friend and customer J.P. Morgan[7][8] for his financial support for the arts and sciences, and his important gifts of gems to the American Museum of Natural History in New York and to the Museum of Natural History in Paris. Morgan was one of the most important gem collectors in the early 1900s – his collection was partly assembled by Tiffany and Company and their chief gemmologist, Kunz.

Morganite is also known as pink beryl, rose beryl, pink emerald, and "cesian (or caesian) beryl".[9]

Characteristics

The pink color of morganite is attributed to Mn2+ ions.[9] Morganite is pleochroic; when it is viewed down its crystallographic axis the color is more pink.

In comparison to emerald, morganite lacks inclusions and fractures, thus making it more durable than emerald.[2]

History

Pink beryl of fine color and good sizes was first discovered on an island off the coast of Madagascar in 1910.[10] It was also known, with other gemstone minerals, such as tourmaline and kunzite, at Pala, California. In December 1910, the New York Academy of Sciences named the pink variety of beryl "morganite" after financier J. P. Morgan.[10]

On October 7, 1989, one of the largest gem morganite specimens ever uncovered, eventually called "The Rose of Maine", was found at the Bennett Quarry in Buckfield, Maine, US.[11] The crystal, originally somewhat orange in hue, was 23 cm (9 in) long and about 30 cm (12 in) across, and weighed (along with its matrix) just over 50 pounds (23 kg).[12]

Before 2011, morganite was unknown in many jewelry stores. But, recently morganite has been increasing in popularity.[2]

Value and popularity

According to a 2017 survey, morganite is the second most popular non-diamond stone, after sapphire. A single carat of morganite can cost about $300.[13]

Morganite is one of the rarest members of the beryl family, second only to red beryl. Due to the scarcity of morganites, especially those of high quality, they tend to be among the most expensive per carat.[14] Ones that are deep pink in color tend to be the most valuable.[15]

References

  1. "Morganite". https://www.mindat.org/min-2783.html. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Morganite: The orange to pink gem with growing popularity". https://geology.com/gemstones/morganite/. 
  3. "Morganite Description" (in en). https://www.gia.edu/morganite-description. 
  4. "8 Diamond Alternatives to Consider for Your Engagement Ring" (in en). https://www.brides.com/diamond-alternatives-5186406. 
  5. Murden, Banu Ibrahim, Kiana (2021-05-18). "Planning to propose? Here are 23 expert-approved rings worth buying" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/cnn-underscored/best-engagement-rings/index.html. 
  6. "Morganite". https://www.mindat.org/min-2783.html. 
  7. "Morganite History and Lore". https://www.gia.edu/morganite-history-lore. 
  8. Galopim de Carvalho, Rui (2024) (in English). Gempedia - a comprehensive glossary for gemstones and gemmology. AIGS (published January 2024). pp. 439. ISBN 9789727809172. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Color in the beryl group". California Institute of Technology. http://minerals.caltech.edu/FILES/Visible/BERYL/Index.htm. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Gem named for Morgan; Newly discovered pink beryl is to be known as Morganite". The New York Times. 1910-12-06. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/12/06/102052382.pdf. 
  11. Harrison, Donald K.; Anderson, Walter; Foley, Michael E. (1990). "The Mineral Industry of Maine". Minerals yearbook 1990. 2. US Bureau of Mines. p. 237. ISBN 978-0-160-38183-6. http://images.library.wisc.edu/EcoNatRes/EFacs2/MineralsYearBk/MinYB1990v2/reference/econatres.minyb1990v2.dharrison3.pdf. 
  12. "The Rose of Maine". Maine Geological Survey. October 6, 2005. http://maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/minerals/guide/chapter5/bennett-3.htm.  Image of "The Rose of Maine" at the site of its discovery.
  13. Keiles, Jamie Lauren (2018-12-04). "The pink engagement ring gemstone that everyone is buying but nobody is talking about" (in en). https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/12/4/18126188/morganite-engagement-ring-gemstone-diamond-alternative. 
  14. Oldershaw, Cally (2003) (in en). Firefly Guide to Gems. Firefly Books. pp. 128. ISBN 978-1-55297-814-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=wm_X_LzoN-cC&q=morganite&pg=PA128. 
  15. Grande, Lance; Augustyn, Allison (2009-11-15) (in en). Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World. University of Chicago Press. pp. 131. ISBN 978-0-226-30511-0. https://books.google.com/books?id=RnE9Fa4pbn0C&q=Morganite&pg=PA131.