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Morganite

Last updated: April 2026

The pink to orange-pink variety of beryl, colored by manganese.

Morganite has a specific gravity of 2.82 and a refractive index of 1.572–1.600, with a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8.0. It is uniaxial −.

Physical & Optical Properties

RI Range1.572–1.600
SG Range2.71–2.85
SG Typical2.82
Hardness (Mohs)7.5–8
Crystal SystemHexagonal
Optic CharacterDR Uniaxial (−)
Birefringence0.008
Dispersion0.014
Fluorescence LWWeak Orange Pink
Fluorescence SWInert
Chelsea FilterInert
PleochroismModerate
ColorsRed Pink, Yellow Orange
SpeciesBeryl
Red PinkYellow Orange

Measured with a polariscope, a refractometer, a hydrostatic balance, a Chelsea filter, a UV torch, a loupe, a darkfield loupe and a spectroscope — step-by-step for each.

Through the refractometer

Morganite varies 1.572 – 1.600 1.40 1.45 1.50 1.55 1.60 1.65 1.70 1.75 1.80 REFRACTIVE INDEX DORotate the stone through a full 360°, reading both edges atevery 45°. SEETwo boundaries 0.008 apart — so close that at this size theyread as one thick line. On the instrument they separate onlywith a steady head and a sharp edge. The pair drawn here isone specimen: this species is published at 1.572 – 1.600,and the two edges slide together anywhere across it, betweenthe dashed marks. MEANSThat gap IS the birefringence — and it is the stable part.Where the pair sits varies by 2 printed divisions from stoneto stone, so the gap identifies and the position onlynarrows. Take max minus min across the whole rotation; asingle position understates it. Computed from gems.json — edge positions are arithmetic, not drawn. RI increases upward; the field above the boundary is the dark one.

Drawn from the refractive index above, on a 1.40–1.81 scale. How to take this reading.

AquamarineEmeraldGosheniteHeliodorRed Beryl

Key Differentiators

Natural vs. Synthetic

Synthetic morganite is commercially available (Hydrothermal (uncommon commercially)). Distinguishing natural from synthetic typically requires microscopic examination of internal features.

Loupewise Pro includes a two-phase natural vs. synthetic testing protocol for Morganite.

Common Simulants

Commonly Confused With

Commonly confused with: Kunzite, Pink Topaz, Pink Tourmaline, Glass.

Treatments

Measurement Guides

How to Identify a GemstoneHow to Measure Specific GravityHow to Use a RefractometerUV Fluorescence Testing

Identifying a morganite? Loupewise walks through these tests in order — RI, SG, fluorescence, and more.

Try Loupewise Free →

Studying for the GIA, FGA, or FEEG practical? Morganite is one of the 132 species in Loupewise’s drill and exam pool — practice identifying it from its measured properties under timed exam conditions.

Practice exams →