mineral

Rose Quartz

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pale pink to rose red, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal), Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified May 31, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pale pink to rose red, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal), Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in high-temperature silica-rich pegmatites as liquid magma cools. The color is thought to be caused by trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese, or microscopic mineral inclusions.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental carvings, decorative sculptures, and as a popular specimen for gemstone collectors.

Geological facts

Rose quartz is rarely found as distinct crystals; it almost always occurs as massive, formless chunks. The first documented discovery was in Rumford, Maine, but it has been used in spiritual practices since ancient Roman and Greek times.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its characteristic cloudy pink color and quartz-like hardness (scratches glass). Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the Black Hills of South Dakota.