This morganite crystal is attached to another mineral called lepidocrocite [lep-i-doh-kro-site]. It looks rough and crusty.
Shiny Steps
This crystal grew into six-sided steps. It looks a bit slippery!
Pleochroic
From this view, this stone shows stronger colors at the ends of its oval shape.
Morganite comes in different shades of pink, sometimes with a touch of orange. Manganese, an element in the crystal, causes the soft pink color. Strong colors in morganite are very rare or hard to find. Morganite is also pleochroic. The shades of the color change at different angles. It is a beryl, like emerald and aquamarine.
Colors
Pale, orangy pink to bluish pink is the color range for morganite.
History
ROSE BERYL
Rose beryl was first described in California in the United States. When it was discovered in Madagascar a little over 100 years ago, it was given the name Morganite.
Famous Morganite
Morganite crystals can grow very large. Larger sizes usually show stronger color. Photo by Brendan Laurs.
what's in a name?
Morganite
[mohr-gun-ite ]
(noun)
Morganite was named in honor of a famous American banker, J.P. Morgan. He was one of the most important gem collectors in the early 1900s and donated gems to museums.