Rose Quartz
Milky pink quartz coloured by fibres too fine to see.
- Family
- Quartz
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs
- 7
- System
- Trigonal
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Science
Rose quartz is almost never transparent. Its colour and cloudiness come from microscopic fibres of a dumortierite-like borosilicate scattered through the quartz. It is one of the few varieties found mostly as massive material rather than crystals, which is why it is carved into spheres, hearts and palm stones.
- Mineral
- Quartz (variety)
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Specific gravity
- 2.65
- Refractive index
- 1.544 to 1.553
- Lustre
- Vitreous
- Colours
- Pink, Rose, Peach
Composition
SiO₂. Made of Silicon, Oxygen, with trace Titanium, Manganese responsible for colour.
Origin
- BrazilMinas Gerais
- Madagascar
- South Africa
- India
- United StatesSouth Dakota
- Mozambique
Filled dots are primary sources
Rarity
Massive rose quartz is mined by the tonne. Well-formed rose quartz crystals, by contrast, are rare and come almost only from Minas Gerais.
- 1 Abundant
- 2 Common
- 3 Uncommon
- 4 Rare
- 5 Exceptional
Hardness
Rose Quartz sits at 7 on the Mohs scale. It will scratch glass and holds a polish in daily wear.
Energy
Associations from crystal-healing tradition, recorded here as folklore. They are not medical claims.
Chakras
- Heart
Element
- Water
Zodiac
- Taurus
- Libra
Planets
- Venus
Properties
- Love
- Compassion
- Self-worth
- Comfort
- Forgiveness
Lore
Beads of rose quartz appear in Mesopotamia around 7000 BCE. Romans and Assyrians carved it into seals, and Egyptian tradition held it prevented ageing.
In Greek myth Aphrodite, rushing to Adonis, was cut by briars; their mingled blood stained white quartz pink. The stone has been the emblem of love in every crystal tradition since.
- AsterismSome rose quartz shows a six-rayed star from oriented rutile needles.
- FadingStrong sunlight will slowly bleach the pink.