mineral

Rose Quartz

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

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

Identified January 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (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 in pegmatites, usually at high temperatures within igneous intrusions. Most specimens are from the Phanerozoic eon, often found in hydrothermal veins and magmatic cooling environments.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry for beads and cabochons, ornamental carvings, crystal healing collections, and as a decorative stone in landscaping.

Geological facts

Unlike other varieties of quartz, rose quartz rarely forms well-defined crystal faces and instead appears as massive aggregates. Its pink hue is attributed to trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic pink hue, high hardness (cannot be scratched by steel), and lack of cleavage planes. Frequently found in Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and its official US state mineral is South Dakota.