mineral

Rose Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Pale pink to rose red. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Pale pink to rose red
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Pale pink to rose red. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed in granitic pegmatites through the slow cooling of silica-rich magma. Most specimens are millions of years old, often dating back to the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental carvings (like the bamboo-shaped beads in the image), and as healing stones in metaphysical practices. In industry, high-purity quartz is used in electronics and glass-making.

Geological facts

Unlike other varieties of quartz, Rose Quartz rarely forms distinct crystal faces and is usually found in massive form. The pink color is believed to be caused by microscopic inclusions of a pink fibrous mineral similar to dumortierite.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic pink hue, hardness (it will scratch glass), and lack of cleavage. Common locations include Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States (South Dakota). Identifying features include its hazy or translucent appearance.

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