Rose Quartz
COLOR RANGE
Strong pink to pale pink
HARDNESS & TOUGHNESS
Hardness: 7 Toughness: Good
MAJOR SOURCES
Brazil, Germany, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka
Rose Quartz is a Silicon Dioxide and a macro crystalline variety of the Quartz family. Rose quartz is one of the many quartz varieties used as a gem material. It gets its name from its delicate pink color, which ranges from very light (almost white) to medium-dark. The most appealing color typically occurs in larger sizes, and small rose quartz specimens with good color tend to be rare. Rose quartz is always found in massive form, so it lacks regular, flat crystal faces. It’s typically found in pegmatites, but also occurs in hydrothermal veins.
When rose quartz contains numerous small inclusions of rutile needles it displays asterism with 6-rayed star on pink body color. This material is often cut in cabochon. This lovely pastel gem often has internal fractures that give it a cloudy translucence, so it’s generally cut into beads and cabochons. Its finest quality is highly transparent and usually faceted. The delicate translucence of rose quartz inspires gem carvers to create dainty or whimsical figures.
