Beryl (var. morganite)

Morganite is the mineral beryl colored pink by impurities of manganese. This magnificent morganite from Minas Gerais, Brazil displays a beautiful orangey-pink color. At 1,377 carats this fancy cushion-cut gem is the largest morganite in the National Gem Collection. Faceted by American gem cutter, Elvis "Buzz" Gray, it is the sister stone to the 448.64-carat morganite, mined from the same gem pocket. This gem is important not only for its large size but also because of the beautiful color, clarity and cut. It was donated to the National Gem Collection by the Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collectors.