Natural Morganite: Complete Guide for Trade, Jewelry, and Collections

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about natural morganite, for trade partners, jewelers, and collectors alike.

Overview

Natural morganite, a member of the beryl family, is celebrated for its beautiful peach to pink shades, often enhanced by its remarkable transparency and brilliance. With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, morganite is durable and suitable for various types of jewelry, including engagement rings, necklaces, and earrings. Its romantic colors and increasing popularity have positioned morganite as a sought-after choice for both jewelry enthusiasts and collectors. Understanding its characteristics, sources, and market dynamics is crucial for anyone involved in its trade or collection.


Physical Properties and Specifications

  • Chemical Composition: Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆

  • Hardness: 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs scale

  • Crystal System: Hexagonal

  • Refractive Index: 1.577 - 1.583

  • Specific Gravity: 2.68 - 2.74

  • Pleochroism: Weak, typically shows slight variations in color

  • Fluorescence: Generally inert, but some stones may show weak fluorescence

  • Cleavage/Fracture: Perfect cleavage in one direction, conchoidal fracture

Color and Quality Classifications

Available Color Ranges

  • Primary hues: Pink, peach

  • Secondary modifications: Light pink, salmon

  • Tone and saturation ranges: Light to dark tones with vivid saturation

  • Premium colors: Deep pink and vibrant peach shades

  • Commercial grades: Light pink to medium pink shades

Clarity Characteristics

  • Typical inclusion types: Bubbles, liquid inclusions, and silk

  • Clarity grading standards: Eye-clean to included

  • Source-specific features: Unique inclusions that may indicate origin

  • Eye-clean criteria: No visible inclusions to the naked eye

Source Locations and Material

Historic sources

  • Brazil, Madagascar, Afghanistan, and the USA

Current production

  • Significant production is currently from Madagascar and Brazil.

Source-specific characteristics

  • Each location imparts distinct characteristics in color and clarity.

Production trends

  • Increasing demand for morganite has led to rising prices, especially for high-quality specimens.