Jewelry

12 Frequently Asked Questions About Morganite

Morganite gemstone guide

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Morganite, or pink beryl, is a type of gemstone that occurs in shades of violet, peach, salmon and pink. In recent years, morganite has become one of the most popular alternatives to diamonds. Due to its naturally occurring pink shade, it’s become one of the most desired gemstones for wedding and engagement jewelry. It’s also sought after for its durability and affordability. To know more about Morganite, let’s take a look at 13 commonly asked FAQ’s that you might have about this stunning gemstone.

What is Morganite?

Morganite ring with aquamarine

Morganite ring with aquamarine side stones. See it here.

Morganite was first discovered in 1910, by George F. Kunz, the chief gemologist at Tiffany & Co. After its discovery, the gem was named after J.P. Morgan, the American banker and gem collector.

Morganite is a type of beryl, the same mineral family that emeralds and aquamarine come from. They can be both naturally formed and artificially made. Naturally formed stones with their orange-pink hues are rare and often expensive. The stones are desired for their rosy radiance formed from the presence of manganese and/or cesium.

Recent times have witnessed an upsurge in synthetic morganite manufacturing, due to the increase in supply and demand. Out of all artificial techniques, the hydrothermal method is proven to be the most efficient, due to its production of natural looking gemstones.

What is the most valuable color for Morganite gemstones?

Morganite gemstones come in various shades of violet, purple, peach, orange and salmon. But the most desired color for a morganite stone is a light or a medium pink. Pink stones or pink-peach gemstones that have a deep and intense color are the most treasured and valued.

But choosing a color depends on the preference of the buyer and whether they like vivid shades or subtle hues. While a pink morganite has a lighter hue, the peach variety is much darker, and the pink-peach is somewhere in between.

Stones with a higher saturation and more vivid hues are more sought-after and therefore more valuable.

How do you evaluate the clarity of a Morganite?

Halo studs morganite rose gold

Morganite studs with diamond halo by GNG Jewels. See it here.

When purchasing a morganite gemstone, always look out for any visible impurities. The gemstone should ideally be eye-clean.

Morganite belongs to the category of clean gemstones, that is, stones with excellent transparency and without any impurities, flaws or marks. This means that morganite stones are typically clear, transparent and unblemished.

It’s very rare for morganite to have marks or blemishes as these stones are naturally formed as clear crystals.

How important is cut for Morganite gemstones?

In terms of shape, cut, and grading, morganite doesn’t have the same requirements as diamonds.

There are no rigid categories that define the best or the most valuable cut. The stone only has to look clean, polished and symmetrical. It’s also important for the cut to capture as much color as possible. Therefore, a morganite’s cut, depends on which geometrical angle best reveals its unique color.

Nevertheless, morganite gemstones look best in fancy shapes such as the oval, cushion, princess and emerald cut. These shapes amplify and increase the intensity of pink. But morganite gemstones are also available in pear shapes, radiant cuts, the Asscher cut, heart shapes and so on.

Is Morganite a good choice for engagement rings?

Morganite engagement ring

Morganite engagement ring with infinity twist shank. See it here.

Morganite is one of the most popular choices for wedding and engagement rings. It’s both aesthetically pleasing and durable enough for daily wear. While we tend to gravitate towards diamonds and sapphires as being the best for engagement rings due to their superior durability and strength, morganites come close and can make good alternatives.

The affordability of a morganite engagement ring gives it a huge advantage, and this is what attracts buyers across the world.  It’s more cost-effective than diamond engagement rings and has proven to be a great alternative to the rare and expensive pink diamond.

Morganite gemstones have a hardness rating of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale, meaning that they are a strong and durable stone. However, they will require maintenance and care to ensure that they don’t become scratched or damaged.

How expensive is Morganite?

Morganite ring large

This morganite ring by Blue Nile costs much less than a diamond of the same size.

As mentioned above, Morganite is cheaper than diamonds, and one carat can cost anywhere between 100–300 dollars. But other factors such as the color, quality, and the shop it’s purchased in can determine the final cost of the gemstone.

Additionally, the setting of the jewelry also adds significantly to the price of the piece. Morganite engagement and wedding rings that are studded with diamonds and other precious stones are costlier than solitaire rings, that have a single large stone.

Why does Morganite undergo heat treatment?

Morganite undergoes heat treatment to increase the intensity of its  natural color. This treatment also increases the durability and strength of the stone. Almost all manufacturers send their morganite through this process, and it doesn’t in any way reduce the value of the gemstone. To put this in perspective, even sapphires, rubies and emeralds almost always undergo heat treatment or other enhancements.

Is Morganite the same as Pink Emerald?

Emeralds are highly sought after and valuable beryls, coming from the same mineral family as morganite. To call a morganite a pink emerald is a misleading term and a marketing gimmick. The GIA doesn’t accept the term pink emerald and insists that morganite be called either pink beryl or morganite.

In other words, there is no such thing as a pink emerald, because a pink emerald is a morganite.

What is the best metal color for morganite jewelry?

Morganite rose gold ring

Morganite rose gold ring by L Studio C. See it here.

Morganite is typically paired with rose gold, as the hue of the stone coupled with the soft rosy pink of the metal are a match made in heaven.

Yellow gold is also a popular option, as the yellow shade of the metal adds to the vintage charm of the morganite. This is perfect for brides who like classic styles.

While white gold and platinum morganite jewelry is rare, it’s a good choice if you want a ring that has contrasting colors and stands out. White metals are typically used with very pale morganite stones as the contrast is lower in this color combination.

What are suitable settings for Morganite engagement rings?

Morganite gemstones are versatile and any cut or design can suit them. But some of the most popular ring designs are solitaire, three stone, pave, shank and split shank.

  • Solitaire: A solitaire setting will have a single, large morganite gemstone. This setting is appropriate for showcasing the beauty and elegance of the stone.
  • Three stone: A three stone setting features three morganite gems set horizontally on the ring. Many people buy the three stone setting for its symbolic meaning, as it represents the couple’s past, present and future.
  • Bezel: The bezel setting is the most popular setting for a morganite gemstone because it protects the gem from scratching and damage. This setting is most suitable for engagement rings that are to be worn regularly. 
  • Halo: Halo settings are perfect for morganite gemstones as they add to the sparkle of the stone and highlight its color. Halo settings also offer an element of protection to the stone.
  • Pave: A pave setting will feature tiny stones, typically diamonds, embedded into the band of the ring. It’s ideal for those who want a sparkly ring at an affordable price.
  • Split shank: A split shank ring will have a shank that is divided or split into two. This unique and eye-catching design is perfect for those who prefer a modern look.

Does Morganite have any symbolic meanings?

Morganite bezel pendant

Morganite bezel pendant by GNG Jewels. See it here.

Morganite is a symbol of femininity, gentleness, delicacy, kindness, and innocence. This is partly due to the color of the stone, which is commonly associated with femininity.

Apart from this, morganite is a symbol of peace, passion, love, innocence and warmth.  Some healers and practitioners associate morganite with the heart chakra. It’s said that Morganite can empower the soul, instigate positive emotions, and assist in the release of negative energy.

Morganite is also associated with rebirth, transformation, and rejuvenation. It’s believed that it will cleanse the soul and prepare the body for receiving peace, love, and warmth. Morganite jewelry can also be gifted to family, friends, and loved ones as a symbol of hope and compassion.

Is Morganite rarer than diamonds?

Morganite gemstones are rarer than diamonds, and it’s hard to find high-quality naturally formed stones. However, although it’s a very rare gemstone, it’s less expensive than diamonds. A high quality 1 carat morganite may set you back around $300 while a 1-carat diamonds cost upwards of $4000.

Due to the increase in demand for the semi-precious stone, there has been a spike in artificial manufacturing of morganite.  Morganite gemstones that are artificially manufactured are more affordable and are excellent alternatives for an even more affordable piece of jewelry.

What is the best way to take care of Morganite jewelry?

Raw Morganite ring

Raw morganite ring by Luxezen. See it here.

As mentioned above, morganite is a durable gem that has a 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale. However, while this is suitable for daily wear, it’s an average durability. For morganite to retain its luster, glow and color, it must be cleaned and checked on a regular basis.

Some tips and pointers will be provided on how to clean morganite and what to avoid  while wearing the stone.

Tips to clean Morganite:

  • You can clean morganite with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • A toothbrush is perfect to get rid of excess dirt, dust and grime. It’s important to move the brush between small gaps and spaces of the setting to ensure that there’s no dirt lodged in which could compromise the stone.
  • Once the scrubbing and brushing is complete, the piece of jewelry should be thoroughly washed and dried.
  • Morganite is tough enough to withstand cleaning with ultrasonic and steam cleaners.

Things to avoid:

  • It’s best to remove morganite jewelry when handling harsh chemicals like detergents or even harsh creams, lotions and hairsprays.
  • Remove morganite rings when doing labor intensive tasks, such as rigorous cleaning, or sports.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully this article answers the questions you may have had about morganite. To sum up, morganite offers an affordable, relatively durable and modern look for engagement rings and other jewelry styles. While not as prestigious or as valuable as diamonds and sapphires, it’s an excellent choice for someone looking for a more unique piece.