Rose Quartz Gem Guide and Properties Chart

Rose quartz is a semitransparent to translucent pink quartz. It is often found tumbled or fashioned into beads or cabochons for jewelry. It was once believed that the color was due to trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese in the material. New research has revealed that the color can be attributed to microscopic inclusions of a fibrous rose-colored mineral closely related to dumortierite.

General Information

Classification
Optical Properties
Characteristic Physical Properties
Chemistry & Crystallography

Common Name

Rose Quartz

Species

Quartz

Transparency

Semitransparent - Translucent

Dispersion

Strength: None

Refractive Index

1.544-1.553

Birefringence

0.009

Optic Character

Uniaxial

Optic Sign

Positive

Polariscope Reaction

Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)

Fluorescence

SWUV: Inert to weak purple
LWUV: Inert

Pleochroism

Dichroic, unobservable or weak, varying shades of body color

Hardness

Streak

White

Specific Gravity

2.640-2.690 Range:0.03/-0.02 Typical:2.660

Toughness

Good

Inclusions

Rose quartz will often have fractures, liquid and two-phase inclusions and will often have a cloudy appearance.

Luster

Vitreous

Stability

Good

Fracture

Conchoidal, Uneven

Cleavage

None

Chemical Name

silicon dioxide (aka silica)

Chemical Formula

SiO₂

Crystal System

Trigonal

Chemistry Classification

Silicate

Rose Quartz Colors

Pink
Pink
Pink

Countries of Origin

Tanzania, United Republic Of; Mozambique; Cambodia; Unknown; China; Ireland; Brazil; South Africa; Madagascar; Nigeria

Care

Normal care unless dyed. If dyed avoid heat, temperature changes, steaming, chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, and repolishing.