I was contemplating bidding for a 14k gold ring with an oval
morganite stone. The picture was not too clear and I’ve never
seen that variety of stone. I think it is in the beryl family.
Does anyone have a comment as to its relative value, desirability
etc. ?
It seems to me that bidders using auctions such as e-bay often
have little knowledge of pricings and get carried away with bids.
I proceed very carefully and make only minor purchases by this
avenue. Any ideas here?
Morganite is the pink variety of Beryl. It is named after J.P.
Morgan a famous American industrialist and gem lover.
Color : various shades of pink, rose and peach-color.
Refractive Index : 1.57 - 1.60.
Birefringence : 0.004 to 0.008.
Specific Gravity : 2.80 to 2.90 but may be as low as 2.71.
Hardness : 7.5 to 8.
Cleavage : poor, in one direction.
The lovely pink colour of morganite is due to trace amounts of
manganese that find their way into the crystal structure.
Morganite is found in Brazil, Madagascar and in the US,
California, Maine, Connecticut and North Carolina.
The largest faceted morganite is a cushion-shape of 598.70 carat
from Madagascar and is in the collection of the British Museum.
Prices from different sources, depending on color, clarity and
size vary from $20. to $100. per carat.
Best morganite still light pink in color, but with no gray or
brown modifier. Wholesale prices run $15-30/30-60/60-100/ct in 3
to 5 ct sizes, maybe about double that for 5 to 10 cts. These
quotes for good/fine/extra fine stones. Should be eye clean.
Don’t let them snow you, morganite a nice stone, but not real
rare, not real intense color. Lesser grades really pale color.
HTH
In answer to your question Morganite can be a desirable stone,
provided of course it is cut well and clean, with a decent color.
You are correct it is from the beryl family, and thus will carry
the same hardness. It was named after the American banker and
collector JP Morgan. It had a density of 2.71-2.90, and inferior
qualities can be improved by heating. If there is anything
further you wish to know, I’d be glad to assist you. Victoria
Bob- Morganite is considered a collector’s stone. For jewelry,
it is considered an evening stone unless it has been heat
treated, which turns the stone a stable pink. The heat treating
removes the yellow from the peachy colored stones, leaving pink.
But sunlight can also change the color to pink, so you want to be
careful with a peachy stone. Some morganite also has a magenta
tint. You are right, it is beryl, not the same as red beryl
from Utah. The refractive index is 1.585 to 1.594, the only
double refractive pink or red stone near 1.58 or 1.59. It is
uniaxial negative, with a specific gravity of 2.82. It was named
after J.P. Morgan in 1911. Unless you have a particular customer
in mind, you might want to pass on this one. The stone color
tends to be very pale against the skin, which makes it less
popular than other stones, except amongst collectors. Good luck.