gemstone
Rose Quartz
SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)
Hardness: 7 (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 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pale pink to rose red
- Luster
- Vitreous/glassy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (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 in igneous pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. The pink color is generally attributed to trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese, or microscopic inclusions of aluminum-borosilicate minerals.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry (as a faceted gem or cabochon), ornamental carvings, and as a popular collector's mineral.
Geological facts
Rose quartz is known as the 'Love Stone' in folklore. Large, transparent crystals are extremely rare; most specimens are translucent to opaque and found in massive form.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic pink hue, high hardness (cannot be scratched by steel), and lack of cleavage. Common in Brazil, Madagascar, and South Dakota, USA.
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