What is Rose Quartz?

Contents 1. The Mineral Rose Quartz 2. What is Pink Quartz? 3. Rose Quartz Properties 4. Article Pictures 5. Shop Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz - Popular Pink Mineral

Rose quartz is a translucent variety of quartz that occurs in various shades of pink.

Pink is one of the less common colours in which quartz occurs.

This popular mineral, which forms deep within the Earth's crust, tends to be found in large deposits, often in pegmatites.

A pegmatite is a coarse-grained igneous rock known for its exceptionally large crystals that form during the final stages of magma crystallisation.

As magma begins to cool underground, the first minerals to crystallise are those that form at high temperatures (like olivine and feldspar). These minerals consume much of the magma's key components, such as silica, aluminium and oxygen.
As the cooling process continues, the remaining magma becomes enriched with water, gases like carbon dioxide, and rare elements such as lithium, boron, and fluorine. This enriched mixture allows minerals to grow much larger because water reduces the magma's viscosity, enabling atoms to move more freely.

Major sources of rose quartz include Brazil, Madagascar, India and South Dakota in the United States. Rose quartz from Dakota often exhibits asterism.

Asterism is an optical phenomenon in which a star-like pattern of light appears on the stone's surface when viewed under direct light. The effect is caused by the reflection of light from inclusions, often rutile needles, within the stone.

Asterism can only be seen in polished stones and is enhanced when the stone is cut as a cabochon. A cabochon's curved, domed shape enhances the star effect by reflecting light in a way that highlights the pattern.

The crystal habit of rose quartz is massive, meaning the crystals grow as one large mass without a defined shape or form. This is unusual for quartz, which typically forms well-structured, individual crystals.

Well-formed crystals of rose quartz have never been found. 

The colour of rose quartz is believed to be stable. However, there have been occasional reports of stones that have lost colour after extensive exposure to UV light.

Its unique colour has been a subject of debate for many years. Despite extensive analysis, scientists are still not certain what causes rose quartz to be pink.
The most popular theory is the presence of microscopic fibrous inclusions related to a mineral similar to dumortierite in its crystalline structure. During tests, when inclusions were separated from the rose quartz, they were found to be the same colour. It's therefore generally believed they're likely to be the cause.

Rose quartz is used primarily for decorative purposes and its metaphysical healing properties.

Although translucent, when used as a gemstone it tends to be cut as a cabochon instead of being faceted. This is because rose quartz is slightly cloudy which is enhanced when cut.

Pink beads found in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) date back to 7000 BC. Rose quartz is also believed to have been used by the Assyrians (800 - 600 BC) and in ancient Greece. Although known by the Romans, it was mainly used for seals.

Like most varieties of quartz, rose quartz is relatively hard. On the Mohs scale of hardness it grades 7. Although found in several countries around the world, the majority and most of the finest grade comes from Brazil.

What is Pink Quartz?

There is a variety of pink quartz that forms well-formed crystals, but it's far more scarce than rose quartz.

Often referred to as pink quartz, this mineral forms in a different geological environment and has a slightly different chemical composition. Its colour is believed to come from impurities of aluminium and phosphorus. It's also extremely sensitive to UV light.

Pink quartz is highly sought after by collectors and can only be found in Brazil.

Rose Quartz Healing Properties

Rose quartz, one of the most popular healing crystals, is renowned for its association with love, romance and affection.

Whether you're happy in life or facing challenges, rose quartz has a calming, soothing energy that promotes peace and harmony.

Rose quartz is a romantic stone that opens the heart to new love and brings more love into our lives.

It inspires warmth, attraction, and new friendships and is a great emotional healer, particularly for deep inner healing.  

Rose quartz emphasises the importance of giving love to those around us and accepting it from others.

When used with meditation, rose quartz can help you become aware of where the love in your life comes from instead of dwelling on where it may be lacking. It can also help remove barriers and show that love doesn't always manifest itself in the way we expect.

Although many crystals are associated with the heart, pink crystals specifically resonate with the heart chakra.

Rose quartz brings deep emotional healing and teaches the importance of forgiveness. 

Article Pictures

The rose quartz in our first picture is courtesy of Stan Celestian.

The rose quartz tumbled stones are from our collection.

The rose quartz on a plinth from Minas Gerais is in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.  Photo by Stone Mania.

The pink quartz crystals are courtesy of The Arkenstone, and the rose quartz spheres are from our collection.

Some images are clickable and redirect to the original photo.