Color	Pink, brownish-pink, orange-pink, purplish-pink
Hardness	7½ - 8
SG	2.6 - 2.8
RI	1.57 - 1.58
DR	.006
Luster	Vitreous
Mineral class	Beryl
Composition	Be3Al2SiO6

Morganite is the pink variety of the mineral beryl. Beryl contains several other gem varieties, including emerald and aquamarine. The attractive pink color of morganite has given it substantial growth in popularity in the last several years. A few rare crystals from Brazil are part morganite and part aquamarine. These pink and blue crystals create interesting and unique gems.

The pink color of morganite is caused by manganese impurities. Morganite most often has a light, silvery-pink color, but other pink forms are also familiar. Its most desirable and valuable color is deep purplish-pink. Peach colored morganite is the next most desired. Gems with orange or yellow hues may be made a purer pink through heat-treatment. Pale pink morganite (as well as colorless beryl) can be irradiated to form blue beryl. Morganite was named by the gemologist George F. Kunz in honor of J. Pierrepont (J.P.) Morgan, who financed his expenditures on the study of gemstones.

Morganite gems usually contain minor flaws and inclusions, but some very large, flawless crystals have been found, from which gems of several hundred carats have been cut. Internal flaws in morganite gems can be masked by treating the stone with oil. Unscrupulous dealers may apply this treatment without informing the buyer.

Morganite is a hard and durable gem, but may develop internal cracks if banged hard. In a few isolated cases, the color of morganite may fade upon prolonged exposure to light.

USES
Morganite is faceted into various gem cuts, and a few stones display cat's eye effect when cut and polished into cabochons. Ornamental figures are often carved from massive chunks of morganite.

SYNONYMS
Pink Beryl

VARIETIES
Bixbite - Strawberry-red variety of morganite, with a brownish hue
Madagascar Morganite - Deep pink, quality morganite from Madagascar
Brazilian Morganite - Morganite with a lighter hue than Madagascar morganite
Salmon Morganite - variety of morganite with an orange-pink color
Peach Morganite - variety of morganite with an orange-pink color.
Champagne Morganite - variety of morganite with an orange-pink color.
Salmon Beryl - variety of morganite with an orange-pink color.
Champagne Beryl - variety of morganite with an orange-pink color.
Peach Beryl - variety of morganite with an orange-pink color.

SIMILAR GEMSTONES
Morganite is easily confused with rose quartz and kunzite, as well as pink tourmaline and pink topaz.