mineral
Strawberry Quartz (or Sunstone / Tumbled Quartz)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite/Lepidocrocite inclusions
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.
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Physical properties
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.
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.
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