mineral

Rose Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: pale pink to rose-red. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal). Cleavage: Indistinct. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: pale pink to rose-red
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified January 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: pale pink to rose-red. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy. Crystal structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal). Cleavage: Indistinct. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Usually found in the cores of granitic pegmatites. Formed at high temperatures deep within the Earth's crust as magma cools slowly. Specimens can date back hundreds of millions of years depending on the host rock formation.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental carvings, and home decor. In industrial settings, quartz is used for its piezoelectric properties and in glassmaking, though rose quartz specifically is most valued as a gemstone and for lapidary work.

Geological facts

Rose quartz rarely forms finished crystal faces and is typically found in massive lumps. Some specimens exhibit 'asterism' (a star-shaped light reflection) when cut into spheres or cabochons due to tiny rutile needle inclusions.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinctive pink hue, lack of cleavage (it exhibits conchoidal fracture like broken glass), and hardness (it will easily scratch glass). Common locations include Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA.

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