Rose Quartz

A gorgeous pink semi precious gemstone, it is commonly polished or cut into decorative objects like hearts, tealights, or tumblestones.

Rose Quartz almost exclusively occurs in ‘massive’ form, a shapeless mass, although crystalline specimens do exist.

Rose Quartz occurs in various locations around the world, although the most abundant sources are Brazil and Madagascar.

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Appearance, Uses and History

Rose Quartz is a pale pink variety of Quartz, usually found as a massive chunk – specimens with druzy, points, etc are much rarer.

Rose Quartz is often translucent, due to the inclusions which cause its pink colouration. It is also often cloudy or included.

Pieces with very good colour are often cut for jewellery usage, particularly cabochons and beads. Clearer pieces with some colour are sometimes faceted, although this is rare.

In some cases when cut en cabochon, the RQ may display asterism – a six pointed star. High quality star stones with good colour are particularly prized.

It is relatively inexpensive and quite common – and as such, one of the most common lapidary materials. Tumblestones and carvings are very common.

Locales

Quartz is one of the most common minerals on Earth, but Rose Quartz slightly less so.

Most of the RQ produced comes from Brazil, with significant deposits in Afghanistan, Canada, Madagascar, South Africa, Mozambique, Portugal, India, and the USA.

Mineralogy

Chemistry
SiO2, a form of Quartz.
Colour is usually a result of Titanium, Iron, or Manganese – although recent studies have shown that Dumortierite inclusions may be responsible.
Colours and Variations
Very pale pink, Pink, rose pink.
In some rare cases, RQ can display asterism – a six ray star.
Streak
White
Luster
Vitreous
Fracture
Conchoidal
Crystal habit
Typically massive, with rarer pieces showing druzy or hexagonal crystalline formation.
Mohs hardness
7
Specific Gravity
2.63 – 2.65
Easiest testing method
Visual inspection and hardness test.
Common Treatments
None

Hazards and Warnings

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Arabic:

  • زهرة الكوارتز

Hindi:

  • गुलाबी स्फ़टिक

Portuguese:

  • quartzo rosa

Bengali:

  • গোলাপ কোয়ার্টজ

Indonesian:

  • mawar kuarsa

Punjabi:

  • ਗੁਲਾਬ ਕੁਆਰਟਜ਼

English:

Italian:

  • quarzo rosa

Russian:

  • розовый кварц

French:

Japanese:

  • バラ石英

Spanish:

  • cuarzo rosa

German:

Korean:

  • 로즈 쿼츠

Thai:

  • โรสควอตซ์

Gujurati:

  • ગુલાબ ક્વાર્ટઝ

Mandarin and Traditional Chinese:

  • 玫瑰石英

Urdu:

  • گلاب کوارٹج

Further Reading / External Links

  • https://geology.com/gemstones/rose-quartz/
  • https://www.gia.edu/UK-EN/rose-quartz
  • https://www.gemsociety.org/article/rose-quartz/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz#Rose_quartz
  • https://www.minerals.net/gemstone/rose_quartz_gemstone.aspx
  • https://www.mindat.org/min-3456.html