Morganiteis an orange or pink variety ofberyland is also agemstone.[2]Morganite is mined in Brazil, Afghanistan,Mozambique,Namibia,the United States, andMadagascar.[3]
| Morganite | |
|---|---|
 Morganite from Brazil withinclusionsof blackschorl | |
| General | |
| Category | beryl[1] |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
| Identification | |
| Color | Pink |
| Mohs scalehardness | 7.5 to 8 |
Morganite has grown in popularity since 2010.[2]BridesandCNNhave listed it as a possible alternative todiamondfor engagement rings.[4][5]
Name
editFollowing 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[6][7]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 aspink beryl,rose beryl,pink emerald,and "cesian(orcaesian)beryl".[8]
Characteristics
editThe pink color of morganite is attributed to Mn2+ions.[8]Morganite ispleochroic;when it is viewed down itscrystallographicaxis the color is more pink.
In comparison toemerald,morganite lacksinclusionsand fractures, thus making it more durable than emerald.[2]
History
editPink beryl of fine color and good sizes was first discovered on an island off the coast of Madagascar in 1910.[9]It was also known, with other gemstone minerals, such astourmalineandkunzite,atPala, California.In December 1910, theNew York Academy of Sciencesnamed the pink variety of beryl "morganite" after financierJ. P. Morgan.[9]
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.[10]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).[11]
Before 2011, morganite was unknown in many jewelry stores. But, recently morganite has been increasing in popularity.[2]
Value and popularity
editAccording to a 2017 survey, morganite is the second most popular non-diamond stone, aftersapphire.A single carat of morganite can cost about $300.[12]
Morganite is one of the rarest members of the beryl family, second only tored beryl.Due to the scarcity of morganites, especially those of high quality, they tend to be among the most expensive per carat.[13]Ones that are deep pink in color tend to be the most valuable.[14]
References
edit- ^"Morganite".
- ^abcd"Morganite: The orange to pink gem with growing popularity".geology.Retrieved2021-08-17.
- ^"Morganite Description".gia.edu.Retrieved2021-08-31.
- ^"8 Diamond Alternatives to Consider for Your Engagement Ring".Brides.Retrieved2021-11-20.
- ^Murden, Banu Ibrahim, Kiana (2021-05-18)."Planning to propose? Here are 23 expert-approved rings worth buying".CNN Underscored.Retrieved2021-11-20.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^"Morganite History and Lore".
- ^Galopim de Carvalho, Rui (2024).Gempedia - a comprehensive glossary for gemstones and gemmology.AIGS (published January 2024). p. 439.ISBN9789727809172.
- ^ab"Color in the beryl group".Mineral Spectroscopy Server.minerals.caltech.edu.California Institute of Technology.Archivedfrom the original on 22 August 2011.Retrieved6 June2009.
- ^ab"Gem named for Morgan; Newly discovered pink beryl is to be known as Morganite"(PDF).The New York Times.6 December 1910.
- ^Harrison, Donald K.; Anderson, Walter; Foley, Michael E. (1990)."The Mineral Industry of Maine"(PDF).Minerals yearbook 1990.Vol. 2. US Bureau of Mines. p.237.ISBN978-0-160-38183-6.Archived(PDF)from the original on 27 April 2014.
- ^"The Rose of Maine".Maine Geological Survey. 6 October 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 10 July 2009.Image of "The Rose of Maine" at the site of its discovery.
- ^Keiles, Jamie Lauren (2018-12-04)."The pink engagement ring gemstone that everyone is buying but nobody is talking about".Vox.Retrieved2021-08-17.
- ^Oldershaw, Cally (2003).Firefly Guide to Gems.Firefly Books. p. 128.ISBN978-1-55297-814-6.
- ^Grande, Lance; Augustyn, Allison (2009-11-15).Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World.University of Chicago Press. p. 131.ISBN978-0-226-30511-0.