
mineral
Rose quartz
Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), pink variety
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness 7; translucent pale pink with a vitreous luster, typically massive rather than visibly crystalline, with conchoidal fracture and no cleavage. The specimen appears tumbled or polished.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Rose quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Mohs hardness 7; translucent pale pink with a vitreous luster, typically massive rather than visibly crystalline, with conchoidal fracture and no cleavage. The specimen appears tumbled or polished.
Formation & geological history
Forms mainly in silica-rich pegmatites and hydrothermal veins, with pink color caused by trace elements and microscopic inclusions. Rose quartz occurs in Precambrian crystalline terrains, especially Brazil, Madagascar, India, and the United States.
Uses & applications
Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornamental objects, and inexpensive jewelry; large masses are also used decoratively. Common polished pieces generally have modest value.
Geological facts
Natural rose quartz is usually cloudy and massive; transparent pink quartz is rarer and is sometimes called pink quartz. Color may fade with prolonged sunlight or heating.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its uniform pale pink color, glassy polish, hardness, and lack of obvious cleavage; it can scratch window glass but not topaz or corundum. Typical retail value is about $3–$25 for a small tumbled piece, or $20–$150 for attractive cabochons/specimens.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous