mineral

Rose Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale pink to rose red; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.

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

Identified March 22, 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: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Primary formation occurs in pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich magma. The pink color is generally attributed to trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese, or microscopic mineral inclusions like dumortierite. It is found in geological formations ranging from Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental carvings, and figurines. Industrially, it has been used in glass making and electronics, though pure clear quartz is more common for those purposes. It is a staple in the mineral collecting and holistic crystal communities.

Geological facts

Unlike regular clear quartz, rose quartz rarely forms well-defined crystal faces and is usually found in massive form. The color can fade if exposed to excessive sunlight (UV radiation). It has been used as a love token since as early as 600 B.C.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct pink hue, glassy luster, and the fact that it will scratch glass but cannot be scratched by a steel knife. Common locations include Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA.