mineral
Rose Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with trace impurities of Titanium, Iron, or Manganese
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale pink to rose red. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (typically massive, rarely forms distinct crystal faces). Conchoidal fracture with no distinct cleavage.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale pink to rose red
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale pink to rose red. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (typically massive, rarely forms distinct crystal faces). Conchoidal fracture with no distinct cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms primarily in pegmatites through the slow cooling of magma, as well as in hydrothermal veins. Large deposits date back millions of years in Precambrian and Paleozoic formations.
Uses & applications
Popular gemstone for lapidary work, cabochons, carvings, tumbled stones, and decorative jewelry. Highly prized by crystal collectors and in metaphysical communities.
Geological facts
Unlike clear quartz crystals, rose quartz rarely forms well-defined individual crystal faces; it almost always occurs in massive form. The pink color is often caused by microscopic inclusions of a fibrous pink borosilicate mineral closely related to dumortierite.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its distinct pink color, hardness of 7 (scratches glass easily), glassy to greasy fracture surface, and lack of cleavage. Major occurrences include Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States (South Dakota).
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary