Rock Identifier
Rose quartz (likely) (Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), pink variety) — mineral
mineral

Rose quartz (likely)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), pink variety

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically pale pink, translucent, and vitreous; hardness 7 Mohs, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears rough and partially translucent, though image-based identification is tentative.

Identified More mineral
Explore Rose quartz (likely) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

Physical properties

Typically pale pink, translucent, and vitreous; hardness 7 Mohs, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears rough and partially translucent, though image-based identification is tentative.

Formation & geological history

Forms mainly in granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal veins when trace elements and microscopic inclusions color quartz; most rose quartz is ancient Precambrian to Phanerozoic in age. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, India, and the United States.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornamental objects, and inexpensive jewelry; massive material is also collected as a mineral specimen.

Geological facts

Rose quartz’s pink color is commonly linked to microscopic mineral inclusions, while some transparent pink quartz owes color to irradiation-sensitive defects. It often occurs as massive material rather than well-formed crystals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its pink color, glassy luster, hardness, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel blade; glass or dyed calcite can resemble it. Common localities include Minas Gerais, Brazil, and South Dakota, USA.