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Beryl (Be3Al2(Si6O18) is a relatively common mineral although it does contain the rare element beryllium. It is most well known however for its gem varieties: the pale green to blue aquamarine , the intense green emerald , the pale yellow to yellowish-orange heliodor and the pale pink to salmon colored morganite. Beryl also occurs as the colorless gem variety goshenite, and as the very rare red gem beryl variety bixbite.
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Morganite (Be3Al2(Si6O18)) occurs primarily in complex granitic pegmatites. Morganite is typically associated with quartz, albite and muscovite, and can occur with other pegmatite accessory minerals such as garnet, spodumene, columbite-tantalite, lepidolite, amblygonite, tourmaline, petalite, beryllonite and other berylium minerals.
Because of morganite's relatively high hardness and specific gravity, it is sometimes found in eluvial and aluvial deposits.
The pink color of morganite is due to trace amounts of manganese impurities in the beryl structure. The color of morganite ranges from pale pink to orange-pink depending on the relative concentrations of Mn2+ to Fe3+. The Fe3+ adds yellow to the pink thereby producing an orange-pink color. Heating orange-pink morganite to approximately 250 - 450 degrees Celcius reduces the Fe3+ to Fe2+, thereby eliminating the yellow color leaving only the pure pink color that is most popular today. Irradiation can reverse this process restoring the orange-pink color.
Morganite is usually recognized by its form, color and specific gravity. It is distinguished
from apatite by its greater hardness.
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Morganite is used as a gemstone. It was named after the American banker J. P. Morgan.
The astrological sign of morganite is Libra.
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Morganite is said to instill and nurture love. It is also said to give patience, and to enhance one's communication skills.
Morganite is said to help remedy respiratory ailments and to increase the supply of oxygen to cells.
For more in-depth metaphysical information, see our Metaphysical Books section.
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