Morganite vs. Diamond: Differences You Should Know

Want to buy a unique engagement ring? Diamonds are not your only option! More and more people are paying attention to Morganite engagement rings. This pink gemstone attracts countless lights for its unique charm. So which is better, the morganite or the diamond? This article will unravel the mystery of morganite and diamond, compare their characteristics, and let you understand these two gems more clearly.

What is Morganite?

Morganite is a beautiful pink to peach-colored gemstone, belonging to the beryl family, which also includes emeralds and aquamarines. It is named after J.P. Morgan, a famous American banker and gemstone collector. Morganite is known for its delicate and feminine color, ranging from pink, peach, or salmon.

Interesting Facts About Morganites

• Morganite is often referred to as "pink emerald" because it's a member of the beryl family, which also includes emeralds.
• Morganite is typically found in larger sizes compared to other gemstones such as diamonds or sapphires. Its natural abundance of larger crystals contributes to its availability in larger sizes.

How is Morganite Formed?

Morganite forms in a special geological environment known as pegmatites. The formation of morganite begins deep within the Earth's crust under conditions of high pressure and temperature. As the magma cools, it releases fluids rich in minerals, including beryllium, aluminum, and silicon. These minerals combine under certain conditions of temperature and pressure to form crystals of beryl. Morganite is known for its pink appearance due to the presence of manganese in the crystal structure. The amount of manganese present determines the intensity of the pink color, which ranges from pale pink to deeper salmon pink.

Where Can Morganite Be Found?

Morganite is primarily mined in a few specific locations where beryl deposits are present. Major sources include Brazil, the United States, Madagascar, and Madagascar. Each region can produce Morganite with its own unique color variations, clarity levels, and characteristics, making Morganite a diverse and sought-after gemstone in the world of jewelry and gemstone collecting.

What's the Diamond?

Known for their exceptional hardness, brilliance, and rarity, diamonds are the most prized gemstones in the world. Diamonds are typically colorless, but they can also occur in a range of colors such as yellow, brown, blue, pink, and black, among others. The pink diamond has the same pink appearance compared to morganite. So what's the difference between these two pink stones? Read on to learn more.

Interesting Facts About Diamonds

• Diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man, scoring a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
• Diamonds are older than the dinosaurs! Many diamonds are billions of years old and formed deep within the Earth's mantle. They probably existed long before dinosaurs roamed the planet.
• Diamonds are excellent conductors of heat. This property makes diamonds valuable in industrial applications such as cutting, drilling, and electronics where heat dissipation is critical.

How Does a Diamond Form?

Diamond is a naturally occurring mineral composed of pure carbon that crystallizes in a cubic structure called diamond cubic. Diamonds form deep within the Earth's mantle, typically about 150-200 kilometers below the Earth's surface, under conditions of high pressure (reaching up to 725,000 pounds per square inch) and high temperature. The volcanic eruptions then bring the diamond-bearing rock, known as kimberlite or lamproite, to the surface. Diamonds are mined from these kimberlite pipes, then cut and polished to reveal their brilliance.

Where Are Diamonds Found?

Diamonds are primarily mined in different regions of the world. Places like South Africa (Kimberley and Cullinan), Botswana, Russia, Canada, Australia and Angola. These major sources are known for their significant and high-quality diamond deposits.

Morganite vs. Diamond: Composition

Morganite is a variety of the mineral beryl, which consists of beryllium aluminum silicate. The chemical formula of morganite is Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈. Its pink color comes from traces of manganese.

Diamond is a pure form of carbon atoms arranged in a specific crystal structure called a diamond cubic lattice. Thus, the chemical formula of the diamond is C (carbon). Trace elements or structural defects in the crystal lattice can also affect its color.

Morganite vs. Diamond: Hardness

Morganite has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making it relatively durable and suitable for everyday wear.

Diamond is the hardest natural substance, scoring a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Its exceptional hardness is due to the strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms in its crystal lattice structure. Diamond is also incredibly durable and scratch-resistant.

Although morganite is less scratch-resistant than diamond, it is still suitable for everyday wear with proper care.

General Physical Properties of Morganite and Diamond

Morganite vs. Diamond: Color

The color of morganite is typically a soft pink, ranging from pale pink to a deeper salmon pink. The pink color is often associated with romance and femininity. The most prized morganite colors are pastel pinks to peach hues, often referred to as "pink beryl".

Is morganite only pink? No, Morganite is sometimes colored. Some morganite stones can also have orange, salmon, or pink colors, depending on the concentration of manganese impurities.

The color of diamonds can be classified into two types - colorless diamonds and fancy-colored diamonds. Diamonds are most commonly known for their colorless or white appearance, often referred to as "white diamonds". However, diamonds can also be found in various colors, including yellow, brown, pink, blue, and black. The rarest and most valuable colored diamonds include red, blue, green, and pink diamonds.

Morganite vs. Diamond: Brilliance

Morganite is known for its subtle, soft brilliance, characterized by a soft, lustrous appearance. The refractive index of morganite is approximately 1.57 to 1.58, while that of diamond is approximately 2.42, which gives diamond exceptional brilliance and fire. Therefore, morganite has less intense sparkle and fire compared to diamond.

Morganite vs. Diamond: Cost

A diamond will cost more than a morganite of the same size and carat. The price of a diamond can vary greatly depending on its carat weight, cut, color, and clarity (the 4Cs). Larger, high-quality pink diamonds can be extremely expensive. If you prefer a larger pink gemstone, morganite is the affordable and budget-friendly choice for your engagement ring's main stone.

Morganite vs. Diamond: Value

In general, diamonds, the precious stones, are more valuable than morganites, the semi-precious stones. Diamonds have been prized for centuries for their rarity and timeless appeal. Larger, flawless, colorless diamonds are the most valuable.   

Morganite vs. Diamond: Symbolic Meaning

Morganite often symbolizes unconditional love, compassion, and empathy. It is considered a stone of divine love that can help attract and sustain love in one's life. Its soft pink hue is said to resonate with the heart chakra, symbolizing gentle love, romance, and tenderness.

The timeless diamond symbolizes everlasting love and commitment, representing eternity. In 1948, the DTC began using the slogan 'A diamond is forever', packaging diamonds as a symbol of love, making diamonds the world's best symbol of commitment between men and women. Diamonds are often used in engagement and wedding rings to symbolize the timeless nature of a couple's relationship. It is also associated with wealth and social status, popularized by celebrities.

Pink Morganite vs. Pink Diamond: Which is the Better?

The 'better' gemstone between pink Morganite and pink diamond is subjective and depends on your personal preferences and priorities, such as budget, durability, and symbolism.

If your priority is budget, Morganite is generally more affordable than diamond, making it a cost-effective option for those seeking a beautiful gemstone at a lower price point.

If your priority is durability, diamond is harder than Morganite, ranking 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. The highest hardness makes it very durable and resistant to scratching, making it ideal for everyday wear.

Check out these Stunning Pink Morganite Engagement Rings at Juyoyo Jewelry!

Juyoyo Twisted Oval Cut Morganite Side Stone Engagement Ring with Diamond Accents	Oval Cut Morganite Engagement Ring with Marquise Moissanite Accents	14K Rose Gold Round Pink Morganite Ring Nature Inspired Engagement Ring

Morganite vs. Diamond FAQs

Is Morganite a Diamond?

No, Morganite is not considered a diamond. Morganite and diamond are two different gemstones with different chemical compositions, physical properties, and characteristics.

Is Morganite Durable?

Yes, Morganite is considered a durable gemstone with a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale.

Where are Morganite Rings Mined?

Morganite is mined in several countries including Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Afghanistan, and the United States.

Is Morganite Ok for an Engagement Ring?

Morganite is a wonderful and unique choice for an engagement ring because of its soft, romantic pink hue and its affordability. Morganite engagement rings are durable enough for everyday use!