White diamond engagement rings certainly feel cool and sophisticated, but vintage and antique morganite engagement rings are a fine choice for those seeking a radiant budget-friendly option.
Think of it as pink beryl — more blush or peachy than bubblegum in hue — with a fancy name. Morganite was discovered in 1910 by Tiffany & Co. gemologist Frederick Kunz (of kunzite fame), who named the stone after his friend J.P. Morgan, the famous New York financier and gem enthusiast. Fast-forward 110 years, and morganite has become an attractive alternative stone for engagement rings. According to the Knot, which conducts a Jewelry & Engagement Study every two years, the gem popped up as a leading non-diamond choice in both 2017 and 2019. Its popularity owes to the public’s fascination with pink diamonds — a devastatingly gorgeous but costly choice — over the past 20 years.
“Morganite is the pink option for women who otherwise would have considered [laboratory-created] moissanite instead of a white diamond,” says Severine Ferrari, founder of Engagement 101. “Pink sapphires in the lighter hues similar to morganite are pretty rare, diamonds even more so, which makes neither easy to find in the desired price point and color.”
So, although morganite is humbler than some of the other colorful gemstones, it’s perfect for “thinking pink” on a modest budget. Deeper orangey-pink colors manifest in larger stones, and if morganites are not as clear and sparkly as diamonds, they usually offer better clarity than emeralds.
Trendy cuts like pear, oval and cushion are plentiful, and rose gold is a divine choice for the setting.
Find an extraordinary collection of vintage and antique morganite engagement rings on 1stDibs, and visit our buying guides for a close look at antique engagement rings, Art Deco engagement rings and vintage engagement rings.