Image: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)
trigonalcommonSilicates
Rose Quartz
SiO2
This specimen is a translucent, pale to medium pink mass of rose quartz, exhibiting a distinct asterism (star effect) when illuminated. Its surface is smooth and somewhat rounded, characteristic of a tumbled or polished piece.
Rose Quartz Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
7Crystal System
trigonalLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
noneFracture
conchoidalSpecific Gravity
2.65Colors
pink, rose-redTransparency
translucentType Locality
MozambiqueMineral Group
SilicatesUses
jewelry, ornamental, collectorAssociated Minerals
feldspar, mica, tourmalineRarity
commonGeological Context
Rose quartz typically forms in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins, often as massive aggregates. Its pink color is attributed to microscopic inclusions of dumortierite or other fibrous minerals, or potentially irradiation-induced color centers.
