MORGANITE

Morganite is a lavender, pink, or sometimes orange colored variation of the mineral beryl, with a chemical composition of Be3Al2Si6O18. Trace amounts of beryllium and manganese combinations most often contribute to its rich and beautiful coloration. Additionally, Morganite is pleochroic, meaning that its color can shift between lighter and darker hues depending on the axis in which the crystal is viewed. Morganite is often found in pegmatites, a type of slow-forming igneous rock; here, it forms in hexagonal, pencil-shaped crystals where the terminations are most often either flat or faceted domes. It has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, making it a very suitable mineral for faceting and gem creation. Unfortunately, however, gem grade examples of morganite are exceptionally rare, with exemplary material fetching upwards of $300 per carat or more. The first gem worthy instances of pink Beryl were initially discovered in the year 1910, on a remote island off the coast of Madagascar. It was there that American minerologist, George Kunz, first identified the mineral and named it in honor of well-known enthusiast and financier, J.P Morgan. On October 7, 1989, one of the largest gem-grade morganite specimens ever unearthed was discovered in the United States. Named "The Rose of Maine", it was found at the Bennett Quarry in Buckfield, Maine. The incredibly large specimen measures roughly 9 inches long and 12 inches across, and along with its matrix, weighs just over 50 pounds.

Other well-known variations of the beryl family are: aquamarine- the blue variety; emerald- the green variety; heliodor- the yellow variety; and the incredibly rare, red beryl, sometimes called bixbite, which is found exclusively in the state of Utah. Additionally, there is a colorless variation called goshenite, and another rare and alkali-rich variation called vorobyevite, or rosterite.

MORGANITE METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, morganite is considered an incredible aid to the Heart Chakra. It is said that the stone can help to open up feelings of compassion and understanding, allowing for Love to be at the helm of personal decision making and joy centered thinking habits. It also allows the mind and heart to find a place of emotional healing, often by reducing anxiety and stress by cleansing the heart of unresolved pain, all the while encouraging self-reflection and acceptance. Physically, morganite is said to aid the body with afflictions of the lungs, pulmonary systems, and circulatory systems. It is said that morganite can help to alleviate unwanted and constrictive energy surrounding the heart, as well as aid in the dissolvement of stress and stress related illnesses of the mind.