Comparison · Silicate Minerals
Microcline vs Morganite
Microcline and Morganite are easy to confuse because both are silicate minerals. Morganite is harder (Mohs 7.75) than Microcline (Mohs 6), so Morganite will scratch Microcline and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Microcline and Morganite
- Morganite is harder (Mohs 7.75) than Microcline (Mohs 6), so Morganite will scratch Microcline and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Microcline is translucent, Morganite is transparent.
- They overlap in pink, but Microcline also comes in white, green, and gray and Morganite also comes in purple.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Microcline is triclinic, Morganite is hexagonal.
Microcline vs Morganite properties
| Property | Microcline | Morganite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Silicate Minerals | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6 | 7.75 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.56 | 2.8 |
| Crystal system | triclinic | hexagonal |
| Common colors | White, Cream, Pink, Green, Gray | Pink, Peach, Salmon, Pale violet |
| Rarity | common | rare |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$300+ | $30–$2000+ |
Which is more valuable?
Morganite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $250 against $40 for Microcline, and premium Morganite can reach $2000 or more.
About Microcline
Microcline is a potassium-rich feldspar and a rock-forming mineral in granites and pegmatites. Its blue-green gem variety, amazonite, is widely collected, while ordinary microcline appears as cream, pink, or gray crystals and masses.
About Morganite
Morganite is the pink to peach variety of beryl, colored by traces of manganese. A durable and softly toned gemstone, it forms in pegmatites as transparent tabular crystals and is cut into faceted gems.
Microcline vs Morganite FAQ
Is Microcline the same as Morganite?
No. Both are silicate minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Morganite is harder (Mohs 7.75) than Microcline (Mohs 6), so Morganite will scratch Microcline and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
How can you tell Microcline from Morganite?
Morganite is harder (Mohs 7.75) than Microcline (Mohs 6), so Morganite will scratch Microcline and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Hold a thin edge to the light: Microcline is translucent, Morganite is transparent. They overlap in pink, but Microcline also comes in white, green, and gray and Morganite also comes in purple.
Which is harder, Microcline or Morganite?
Morganite is harder: Mohs 7.75 against Mohs 6 for Microcline.
Which is more valuable, Microcline or Morganite?
Morganite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $250 against $40 for Microcline, and premium Morganite can reach $2000 or more.
