mineral

Rose Quartz

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

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

Identified June 3, 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

Found primarily in pegmatites formed from the cooling of magma, though it can also occur in hydrothermal veins. Large specimens are often millions of years old.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, crystal healing practices, and as a collector's specimen. It is frequently carved into shapes like this star or polished into cabochons.

Geological facts

Unlike other varieties of quartz that form large well-defined crystals, rose quartz usually occurs in massive form. The pink color is often attributed to microscopic inclusions of pink borosilicate minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic pink hue and its ability to scratch glass (hardness 7). Major sources include Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States (South Dakota).

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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

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Epidote

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Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Biotite Schist

Biotite-rich Schist [K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(F,OH)2]

metamorphic