mineral

Rose Quartz

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale pink to rose red; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale pink to rose red
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale pink to rose red; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of magma in pegmatites or hydrothermal veins. The pink color is generally attributed to trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese, or microscopic inclusions of dumortierite.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, lapidary arts, and as a popular specimen for gemstone collectors and metaphysical enthusiasts.

Geological facts

Unlike other varieties of quartz, rose quartz rarely forms well-defined crystals; it usually occurs in massive form. The first rose quartz was found in the United States near Rumford, Maine, but most commercial supply now comes from Brazil.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic pink hue, hardness (it will scratch glass), and lack of cleavage. It is commonly found in pegmatite deposits in Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States (South Dakota).