mineral

Pink quartz (likely rose quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), pink variety commonly called rose quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent pink, vitreous luster, massive rather than visibly crystalline; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65. The red-purple spots may be iron-bearing inclusions or surface staining.

Identified August 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms mainly in granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal veins when silica-rich fluids crystallize; rose quartz deposits are generally Precambrian to younger, depending on locality. The photograph cannot establish an exact age or locality.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornamental stone, and inexpensive collector specimens; massive material is also used decoratively.

Geological facts

Natural rose quartz is commonly cloudy and pink rather than transparent; strongly transparent pink quartz is often a different variety, pink quartz. Color can fade with prolonged sunlight or heat.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by pink color, glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; confirm with a hardness test on an inconspicuous edge. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, India, South Africa, and the United States.