mineral

Rose Quartz

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

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 March 11, 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 in magmatic pegmatites through the slow cooling of silica-rich fluids. It can also be found in hydrothermal veins. Large specimens like the one pictured are generally from large pegmatite deposits that may be hundreds of millions of years old.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, spheres, and as a popular specimen for rock collectors. In decorative industries, it is used for countertops and internal architecture.

Geological facts

Unlike other varieties of quartz, rose quartz rarely forms large, well-defined individual crystals; it usually grows in massive, irregular lumps. Some specimens exhibit 'asterism' (a star-like reflection) when cut due to tiny inclusions of rutile.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic pink hue, high hardness (will scratch glass), and lack of cleavage (it breaks in curved, shell-like patterns). It is commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States (South Dakota).

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