Morganite

These pretty stones, which are always on the pastel side and not strongly saturated, offer a soft and gentle colour to our palette. The colours are caused by tiny amounts of manganese in the crystals and the best examples are currently being mined in Brazil and Madagascar. The stones are frequently heated to enhance the pink tones which are the most popular. 

Previously known only as Pink Beryl, it was re-christened in 1911 by the gemmologist G.F. Kunz and named in honour of the famous American banker John Pierpoint Morgan. Morgan was one of the most important gem collectors of the early 20th Century and made many generous donations to museums in both New York and Paris – so that’s  how to get a stone named after you!

Description: Morganite is the pink member of the Beryl family and occurs in hues from the palest sugared almond pink through to rose, peach and salmon coloured stones, it is found in Madagascar.

Hardness: 7.5 – 8 on Mohs Scale