mineral

Strawberry Quartz (or Sunstone / Tumbled Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite/Lepidocrocite inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 on Mohs scale; reddish-pink to translucent brown color with sparky/flecked inclusions; vitreous to dull luster; trigonal crystal system; no true cleavage; specific gravity approximately 2.65.

Identified July 24, 2026More mineral →

Explore Strawberry Quartz (or Sunstone / Tumbled Quartz) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites where quartz crystallizes along with iron oxide minerals such as lepidocrocite, hematite, or goethite, giving it a pinkish-red, shimmering appearance.

Uses & applications

Popular as a lapidary material, tumbled stone, pocket palm stone, and used for jewelry making (beads, cabochons) or metaphysical crystal collections.

Geological facts

True Strawberry Quartz contains natural inclusions of iron oxide minerals creating a strawberry-like color, though synthetic aventurine glass (goldstone) and dyed quartz are often mislabeled as strawberry quartz in the market.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its quartz hardness (scratches glass), glass-like luster, and internal glittery or cloudy reddish inclusions. Commonly sourced from Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and Russia.