" /> Makur’s Morganite Jewelry: The First to Celebrate the Peachy-Pink Stone - JCK

Makur’s Morganite Jewelry: The First to Celebrate the Peachy-Pink Stone

It was a special-order piece 12 years ago that led Masis and Arlene Hagopian, owners of Makur in New York City, to embrace morganite as their signature jewelry look. The owners of the 20-year-old firm had already been using lots of rose gold, but when a client requested a rose gold and morganite ring, the lovely combination inspired an aha moment—“rose gold and morganite just complement each other so beautifully,” says Arlene—that paved the way to more frequent use of both. Soon after that custom job, the duo traveled to the gem shows in Tucson, Ariz., to stock up on stones, and a few months later at JCK Las Vegas, they debuted their first morganite and rose gold styles for wholesale.

Today, about half of all Makur’s jewelry features morganite set in rose gold, with a few styles set in tricolor gold with the rose immediately surrounding the morganite. Makur cuts its own rough sourced from Africa, South America, California, and Afghanistan, and heats and/or irradiates it to enhance its pretty peachy-pink color. Entry prices for its morganite jewelry start at $500 retail.

Anyone who walked the JCK Las Vegas show this year might have noticed the multitude of other firms that have also started to embrace the gem. Arlene isn’t surprised. “We have noticed its popularity growing in the past two years,” she says. Makur’s clients, meanwhile, remember who first made it a focal point of collections. “Our clients recognize that we were first,” Arlene adds.

As to why morganite is having a moment, Arlene suggests that it might be its value when compared to pink diamonds—like the 8 ct. pear shape being sold in October by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, which is expected to sell for as much as $15.4 million.  “Morganite is more cost-effective, and it’s a great alternative,” she says.

Makur earrings in 18k rose gold with morganite and diamonds

Earrings set in 18k rose gold with 3.76 cts. t.w. morganite and 0.5 ct. t.w. diamonds, $3,000

Markur morganite ring in rose gold

Ring in 18k rose gold with 8.25 ct. morganite and 0.53 ct. t.w. diamonds, $5,000

Makur morganite necklace in rose gold

Necklace in 18k rose gold with 18.8 ct. morganite and 0.63 ct. t.w. diamonds on a two-tone chain, $9,500

The Style 360 blog is your editorial source for the newest jewelry, trends, market analysis, trade show highlights, designer profiles, and more.

Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
JCK logo
JCK

Log Out

Are you sure you want to log out?

CancelLog out