What Is Morganite?

Romantic, feminine and enchanting, Morganite is a gemstone that has captured the hearts of many jewelry lovers. With more sparkle than the better-known amethyst and hues that range from a light pink to soft lavender, Morganite is the perfect gemstone for fans of pink and purple.  But what exactly is Morganite?

Composition of Morganite

Sometimes mistaken for amethyst or rose quartz, Morganite is actually composed of the mineral beryl. The full name for beryl is beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate, and it is a mineral formed in hexagonal crystals. Interestingly, beryl is clear in color but turns different colors when it comes into contact with impurities. Along with Morganite, beryl is also the mineral that composes aquamarine and emerald. Beryl turns pink (becomes Morganite) thanks to the positive presence of Manganese ions.

First discovered in California in the early 1900s, Morganite was originally known as simply ‘pink beryl.’  In 1911 a gemologist suggested naming the stone after financier J.P. Morgan, and pink beryl was known as Morganite thereafter.

Morganite As a Gemstone

Morganite is pink in nature, but is usually treated with irradiation to improve its color and bring out the pinkish lavender hues. In nature, Morganite is sometimes streaked with lines of yellow or orange, and irradiation eliminates these other colors to create a beautiful gemstone that is all one flawless color.  With a Mohs scale hardness between 7.5 and 8, Morganite is a fairly hardy stone that lasts a long time.

One characteristic of the gemstone that makes it harder to work with is that Morganite is sensitive to high heats and temperature. Because of this, soldering jewelry set with a morganite gemstone can cause it to shift color. For this reason, Morganite jewelry should never be placed in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Simply use a solution of warm soapy water to soak the Morganite in, and rinse off with cold water and polish with a soft cloth to clean your Morganite jewelry.

Apples of Gold carries a lovely vintage style Morganite ring that is a must-see for lovers of this gorgeous gemstone.

Unique Gemstone Rings

We’ve mentioned the popular cocktail ring trend already, but these cocktail rings come with a twist. In lieu of the usual gemstones such as citrine, sapphire, garnet or rubies, these unique rings are set with some pretty spectacular, lesser-known gemstones including morganite, smokey quartz, green amethyst and pink topaz. The result? A standout cocktail ring that trumps the rest thanks to their unique beauty.  If you haven’t seen many of these gemstones in person, let us preface this article by mentioning that the pictures truly do not do the rings justice. The ethereal, watery hue of green amethyst, the shocking pop of pink topaz and the hazel sparkle of smokey quartz make these unique gemstones something special.

Here are some of our favorite unique gemstone rings for your viewing pleasure. If you ever have the chance, check them out in person – you will not be disappointed.

Green Amethyst Ring

Green amethyst, like purple amethyst, is a member of the quartz family. One reason we love this gemstone so much is that its whispery green hue goes beautifully with Spring and Summer’s muted pastel color palette. If you love the shade too, consider the whopping 3.1 carat green amethyst ring. Set in white gold and accented with two little rows of diamonds, it’s a sparkling stunner that can be worn day and night.

Pink Topaz Ring

Though topaz is usually thought of as a blue gemstone, it actually comes in a rainbow of colors. Bright pink topaz is created by heat treating natural yellow or orange colored topaz. The resulting hue is a bright, cheery pink that would make Barbie herself proud. We love the emerald cut pink topaz ring (shown at top) set in in solid 14K white gold. The pink topaz is surrounded by a halo of brilliant diamonds that nicely compliment the stone.

Smokey Quartz Ring

Smokey quartz ranges in color from light brown to nearly black. Our favorite hue is the medium to light brown, since the color really reflects light for maximum sparkle. The lighter hued smokey quartz shines in our 1.75 carat oval cut ring set in an etched white gold band.  Diamonds line either side of the smokey quartz center stone to add a little extra pop to the piece.

Morganite Ring

Morganite is so sought-after thanks to its lovely pink hue. Like green amethyst, its quiet tones go well with the muted pastel fashions of Spring and Summer. Vintage lovers will enjoy the design of our morganite and white gold ring, which has intricate floral and filigree patterns on the band.  Read more about morganite and this lovely ring under our jewelry review section.

Vintage Rose Morganite Ring

Few people are aware of the lovely pink gemstone known as Morganite, but after seeing it they are likely to become fanatics. Morganite was first discovered in the early 20th century in California. It is actually a variety of the mineral beryl, which is also responsible for creating emeralds and aquamarine; the name “morganite” refers to the pink variety of beryl. For this reason, morganite is also called pink emerald, pink beryl and rose emerald due to its hue that ranges from a kiss of pale pink to a rich rose color.

When morganite was first discovered, it sparked a craze among women who fell in love with its gorgeous pink color. The gemstone was usually set in intricate white gold, as was the style at the turn of the 20th century.  Pairing the girly pink morganite stone with a dainty, elaborate white gold setting creates a beautifully feminine piece of jewelry. It’s a look that hopeless romantics and vintage lovers alike can appreciate, which is why we have recreated the effect with our antique style morganite ring.

Set in solid 14K white gold, the oval-shaped morganite stone on our ring measures 10 mm x 8 mm.  The band itself is carved with intricate flowers and filigree reminiscent of the early 20th century jewelry styles that inspired the ring. To achieve an authentic vintage look, the white gold is left untreated with rhodium for a soft, beautiful finish. This ring would make a lovely birthday present, bridal gift, or anniversary gift for the lady in your life who appreciates treasured vintage style jewelry.

View it online at Apples of Gold.