A Hint of Pink : Morganite

Emeralds seem to attract a lot of attention, and so they should. Their rarity, colour and beauty that speak of renewal are only a variety in a very large gemstone species. Being part of the Beryl species pushes the bar really high for any gemstone, as Emeralds and Aquamarines take up all the limelight. However, the Pink to Purplish pink variety popularly known as Morganite is not short of anything other than the word “sensational”. These gems that were named after the famous banker J.P. Morgan, were also on of the gemstone collectors favourites.

Morganite comes in colours so pleasing and calming, it isn’t a surprise these stones are used to cure stress related problems. With the current trend moving toward pink stones like Pink Diamonds and Candy Pink Tourmalines, I think Morganite could also easily seal the deal.
This stunning gem falls under the 7.5-8 band in hardness making it more durable than quite a few gemstones. Making ideal for color engagement rings, a new trend these days. Another factor that perhaps even exceeds it’s close cousins, is the fact that Morganite is generally eye clean. A gem with fewer inclusions, they have better durability with better brilliance. A vitreous lustre gives these gems a glassy appearance and they have a conchoidal fracture nature.
Larger rough in morganite gives the opportunity to cut fancy designer shapes
Morganites are generally heated to over 400 ° C to improve their colour because their salmon pinks are not as desirable as compared to the tender rose shades that are synonymous with the word Morganite. Known to be found in Brazil, these gems get their soft colours from the fusion of Manganese with Beryllium, Aluminium and Silicates.
Miner excavating Morganite from a pegmatite

 

When it comes to these pink wonders, I always take a second look, forcing myself to almost find something that’s worth blogging about. And then all of a sudden when I least expected it, I found Needles intersecting at a point almost appearing to be a star in a sea of pink. It caught my attention but unfortunately at the time I did not have any way to capture what I saw. I did, however, manage to find an article reviewing an inclusion with uncanny similarity.

 

Stellate Zircon inclusion in Morganite, just like the one I saw 
With the increase in the popularity of this calming gem you do not want to be duped into buying any simulant for the same price.

Identifying a Morganite

This made me realise, when buying gemstones you should know exactly what to look for, which is why when you are looking for Morganite, do look out for the following factors:
  1. Doubling at facet junction – Morganite is a Doubly Refractive stone, which means at each facet junction you will see two parallel lines instead of one, its RI is 1.583 – 1.590
  2. 2 or 3 Phase inclusions – Morganite, just like all other beryl forms in pegmatitic environments which therefore means the chance of liquids getting stuck in solid inclusions with the presence of gas can be a high possibility, or in any such combination
  3. Pleochroism – colours from pale pink to Bluish pink.
  4. Needles – Thin needles oriented in one particular direction
2 Phase inclusions seen in Morganite