mineral
Rose Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with traces of titanium, iron, or manganese
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to rose-red; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink to rose-red
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to rose-red; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed at high temperatures in deep-seated igneous pegmatites or hydrothermal veins. The pink color is attributed to microscopic inclusions of a fibrous pink mineral similar to dumortierite.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental carvings, decorative stones, and as a popular specimen for crystal healing and mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Unlike other varieties of quartz, rose quartz rarely forms large well-defined crystals and typically occurs in massive aggregates. Large quantities are found in the Black Hills of South Dakota and in Brazil.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its pink hue and hardness (can scratch glass). To identify in the field, look for the pink color in massive outcrops or pegmatites; it often lacks internal structure and shows a characteristic waxy luster when broken.
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