mineral
Rose Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with traces of titanium, iron, or manganese
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: pale pink to rose red; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- pale pink to rose red
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: pale pink to rose red; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich magma; can also be found in hydrothermal veins. Specimens can range from hundreds of millions to billions of years old.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary work for jewelry, figurines, and beads. Also popular as a decorative stone in landscaping and widely collected by mineral enthusiasts for aesthetic and metaphysical purposes.
Geological facts
Unlike other varieties of quartz, rose quartz rarely forms well-defined crystal faces and is usually found as massive lumps. The 'Girasol' effect (a floating star of light) can sometimes be seen in high-quality specimens due to rutile inclusions.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic pink hue and glass-like appearance. It cannot be scratched by a steel knife. Common locations include Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States (South Dakota).
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