Morganite, Cleavelandite

Virgem da Lapa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

7,3x6x5,5 cm. ( main crystal 1,8x1x0,6 cm.)

This specimen of snow white Cleavelandite hosts two magnificent cabochon-cut Morganite gems, showing a slightly pinkish hue, which are actually natural crystals of this beryl’s variety. The perfect crystallization and the scale arrangement of these two gems make this piece an example of rare elegance, found in 1985 ex Mineralien-München collection.

Morganite, a pink to peach-colored variety of beryl, is commonly found in Brazil, particularly in the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. The geological formation of Brazilian Morganite is associated with pegmatite deposits. Pegmatites are coarse-grained igneous rocks that often contain large crystals of valuable minerals.

In Brazil, the formation of Morganite is a result of complex geological processes involving the intrusion of pegmatitic material into existing rock formations. The pegmatites serve as conduits for mineral-rich fluids, facilitating the growth of beryl crystals. The pink coloration in Morganite is attributed to the presence of manganese or, in some cases, cesium. The unique geological conditions in Brazil, with the interaction of specific elements and mineral-rich fluids, contribute to the development of the exquisite pink shades observed in Brazilian Morganite.