The Sparkling World of Aquamarine and Morganite Crystals

The Glittering World of Aquamarine and Morganite Crystals

The world of colored gemstones is a dazzling one, full of vibrant hues and crystalline structures. Two gems that share a common mineral origin while exhibiting their own unique traits are aquamarine and morganite. Both are members of the beryl family yet showcase their individual personalities through color, inclusions, and metaphysical associations.

A Blue Treasure From the Sea: Aquamarine

The soothing, sky-blue tones of aquamarine have made it a treasured gemstone for centuries. Its name comes from the Latin “aqua marina,” meaning seawater, an ode to its beautiful blue-green hues. Aquamarine is a variety of the mineral beryl, the same mineral family that gives us emerald. However, it is the trace amounts of iron that give aquamarine its distinctive color.

Aquamarine forms in granite pegmatites and is mined globally in exotic locales like Brazil, Pakistan, Africa, and even the Rocky Mountains of the United States. The largest aquamarine ever found was in Brazil, weighing over 240 pounds! Much of the aquamarine today comes from African countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique and Madagascar.

Aquamarine rates from 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it a durable gemstone suited for jewelry use. Its hardness and clarity make it a popular choice for engagement rings and anniversary bands. Lighter colored aquamarines with a vibrant blue are most valued, especially for faceted gems. Darker stones are often cut into beads or cabochons.

The Blushing Beauty of Morganite

Like lovely pink cotton candy, the soft and feminine hues of morganite lend it an air of sweet romance. This beryl variety shares the same chemistry as aquamarine but owes its peachy-pink coloration to traces of manganese. It was first discovered in 1911 and named after the American banker and gem collector J.P. Morgan.

Morganite mainly comes from mineral-rich pegmatites located in Brazil, Mozambique, Namibia, Madagascar and Afghanistan. Huge morganite crystals have been unearthed, like the 50-pound crystal found in Mozambique! Morganite rates between 7.5 to 8 in hardness and has an appealing vitreous luster when polished.

The pale pink tones, clarity and brilliance of morganite make it ideal for fashioning into faceted gemstones and cabochons. Its beauty and affordability compared to other pink gems like ruby and sapphire have sparked a surge in morganite’s popularity, especially for engagement rings and bridal jewelry.

Where These Beryls Diverge: Color and Inclusions

Despite sharing a common mineral class in beryl, aquamarine and morganite showcase distinctly different colors. So what gives these gems their eye-catching hues?

Aquamarine’s light blue coloration is produced from traces of iron within the crystal structure. The iron ions produce the blue tones through intervalence charge transfer between Fe2+ and Fe3+. This color-producing process is similar to that which makes blue topaz blue.

Morganite’s soft peachy-pink color is caused by traces of manganese within the crystal. The manganese 3+ ions interact with the beryl structure to transmit the delicate pink hue.

Inclusions also differ within these beryls. Aquamarine often forms with few inclusions, while morganite frequently forms with rod-like inclusions called horsetails. Other common inclusions include two-phase inclusions and dendritic or feather-like patterns.

Metaphysical Vibes: Calm Waters and Sweet Love

In crystal healing traditions, aquamarine and morganite offer their own metaphysical personalities and healing properties.

With its oceanic color, aquamarine is associated with cleansing, calmness, and enhanced communication. It’s said to aid in soothing nerves, releasing stress, and instilling mental clarity. Many believe it has a peaceful, balancing effect on the emotional body.

The softly feminine energy of morganite makes it a stone of sweetness and self-love. It’s believed to help ease heartache, exude compassion, and embolden inner strength to support personal growth. It’s admired as a stone of romance, tenderness and spiritual awakening.

Two Beryls for All Occasions

While aquamarine and morganite both belong to the decorated beryl mineral class, their unique colorations set them apart in the gemstone world. The icy tones of aquamarine and sugary hues of morganite give jewelry lovers the best of both worlds. These beryl beauties complement all skin tones and pair elegantly with both white metals and warm yellow gold.

Whether you’re looking to add some calm vibes or sweetness to your jewelry collection, these dazzling beryls are sure to deliver. Their shared durability and brilliance joined with their distinctive colors make aquamarine and morganite must-have gems for statement pieces and everyday adornment.

FAQs

What causes the different colors in aquamarine and morganite?

Aquamarine's light blue color comes from trace amounts of iron in the crystal structure. Morganite's pale pink color is caused by traces of manganese.

Where are aquamarine and morganite mined from?

Aquamarine is mainly mined in Brazil, Pakistan, Africa and the United States. Morganite primarily comes from pegmatite mines in Brazil, Mozambique, Namibia, Madagascar and Afghanistan.

What are aquamarine and morganite used for?

The clarity and brilliance of aquamarine and morganite make them ideal for fashioning into faceted gemstones for jewelry. Aquamarine is popular for engagement rings while morganite is used in bridal jewelry.

What are some common inclusions found in these beryls?

Aquamarine usually has few inclusions while morganite often contains rod-like horsetail inclusions. Two-phase inclusions and feather-like dendrites are also sometimes seen.

What are the purported metaphysical properties of these gems?

Aquamarine is believed to promote calmness, soothe nerves and enhance communication. Morganite is said to encourage self-love, ease heartache and exude sweetness.