mineral

Rose Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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 July 18, 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

Forms primarily in hydrothermal veins and pegmatite pockets. The pink color is attributed to microscopic inclusions of pink borosilicate fibers (similar to dumortierite) or trace amounts of titanium and manganese.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and as a popular specimen for collectors and holistic practitioners.

Geological facts

Unlike other varieties of quartz, rose quartz rarely forms well-defined crystal faces; it is almost always found in massive form. The pink color can fade if exposed to prolonged direct sunlight.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinctive pink color, waxy-to-glassy luster, and inability to be scratched by a steel knife. Common locations include Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the Black Hills of South Dakota.