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Morganite
The pink variety of beryl is named after the
famous American banker and gem enthusiast John Pierpont Morgan.
Appearance The color is usually
quite a soft pink withow any overtones. The pleochroism is
not noticeable. It has glassy luster, like other beryls. The
stones are usually fairl:, free of inclusions. Sometimes,
however, irregular liquic and gaseous inclusions, of very
uneven shape, are just visible. The step cut is most frequently
used. Morganite is nc a common gem, but specimens are often
medium to large As always with light-colored stones, the more
richly coiored specimens are in greater demand.
Distinctive features Morganite
is not easily distirguished from kunzite, pink topaz, and
the more attractivel . colored pink tourmalines, except, of
course, by its physica: characteristics; but it is quite readily
distinguished fror dull pink tourmalines. It is less lustrous
than pink sapphir and often a different color. In general,
pink stones, unlesot a distinctive shade, are not easy to
identify visually. C the other hand, establishment of the
stone's density w narrow the field and will usually be sufficient
for positiw identification.
Occurrence Morganite is mainly
found in pegmatites the United States (California), Brazil,
and Madagascar. Value Richly colored stones of at least a
few carats a• among the more valuable secondary gems.
The price fa a lot for more weakly colored specimens.
Simulants and synthetics Not
being widely known, Mc ganite is not as a rule imitated, nor
is it produced synthecally.
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