gemstone
Rose Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: Pale to deep pink, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: Pale to deep pink, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous pegmatites or hydrothermal veins where cooling occurs slowly, allowing quartz to crystallize with trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese which provide the pink hue.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, crystal healing, and as a popular collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Unlike other varieties of quartz, rose quartz rarely forms large crystal faces and is usually found as massive chunks. Most of the world's supply comes from Brazil, Madagascar, and South Africa.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic hazy translucency and pink color. It can scratch glass and does not react with acid. Frequently found in large masses in granitic pegmatites.
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