Morganite History

Chances are that you've heard the term morganite quite a bit recently. This is unsurprising since this lovely stone is gaining popularity. But what is it? In a nutshell, morganite stone is the pink variety of beryl. Other beryl varieties include emeralds and aquamarine.

Let's take a look at the history of this list-known gem. We'll also talk about what makes it so special. At the end of this article, you will see why it is so popular and why morganite rings are such a great option for your collection.

Morganite History

One of the reasons why many people haven't heard of morganite is that it's a relatively recent discovery. Miners found morganite stones in Madagascar back in 1910. This was a time when many new gems were being discovered in newly-opened mines. One reason why we didn't know about morganite crystal earlier is that it's rarer than other forms of beryl.

When morganite was found, there was a lot of exploration. Early specimens were sent to the New York Academy of Sciences and were examined by George Kunz. It was Kunz who discovered the type of mineral and added it to the gemological catalog.

During that period, much of the gemology exploration and research were funded by private individuals. One of these was JP Morgan, a banker with a special affinity for gemstones. Because of his patronage, Kunz named this pink beryl after Morgan.

Soon, morganite made its way into the Tiffany gemology collection and later into morganite jewelry. You can find romantic morganite engagement ring options in many jewelry catalogs. Or, design custom morganite wedding rings with diamonds for something that's sweet and beautiful. Looking for the wow factor? Try a morganite wedding set.

Morganite Discovery

Morganite gets its signature pink color from manganese in the beryl crystal. The more saturated the color, the more valuable the morganite crystal is. However, as with aquamarine, morganite typically has a pale color.

Besides the 1910 Madagascar discovery, we have found morganite in the United States, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Mozambique. Right now, Madagascar specimens are considered to be the finest quality, but the largest quantity of morganite comes from Brazil. Incidentally, this is also the most common source of aquamarine.

Natural Morganite vs. Lab Created Morganite

According to the GIA, lab created morganites are uncommon. One reason for this is that, while more people want that morganite necklace and morganite earrings set than ever, supply and demand are relatively well-balanced. This means that there is very little economic incentive to make synthetic morganite. And, of course, it also means that the chances are your morganite ring has a genuine stone. Those stones may, however, be treated.

With that said, like all other stones, synthetic morganite has the same chemical properties as mined morganite. Synthetic morganite also has the same hardness, color, and most other specifications as natural stone. About the only exception is that the clarity grade can be much higher.

Also, morganite is relatively inexpensive. This means that many people could afford a larger piece of jewelry, like a morganite bracelet.

Significance Today and Throughout History

Because morganite is a new discovery, there isn't a lot in terms of morganite meaning. After all, many of the legends and lore associated with gemstones have developed over centuries, even millennia.

However, not having a storied history doesn't mean that morganite is meaningless. Increasingly, the morganite stone meaning has come to be a representation of sweetness, innocence, and romance. Morganite is a great choice for young women who wants a feminine piece of jewelry for work or a girl's night out.

Likewise, because it is newly discovered, there is no official morganite birthstone assignment. With that said, in some countries, pink tourmaline is recognized as the birthstone for October. It's easy to see some October babies using morganite as a substitute.

A big trend right now is pairing morganite with rose gold. Especially if the school setting has scrollwork, milgrain, or other intricate details, the jewelry can have a gorgeous vintage vibe. Or, accent your morganite with pave diamonds and other colored stones. The possibilities are endless, and you'll feel like a princess wearing it.