Rose Quartz

Big Photo

South Africa
990 carats

Rose quartz (named after its pink colour) is a type of Quartz which exhibits a pale pink to rose red hue.

When rose quartz contains numerous small inclusions of rutile needles it displays asterism with 6-rayed star on pink bodycolour. This material is often cut en cabochon.

Rose Quartz Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 
 

Rose Quartz Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Rose Quartz gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:2.18 cts
Heaviest:990 cts
Average:68.63 cts
Total photos:44
Do you have a larger Rose Quartz? Why not upload a photo?
2.18ct to 100.96ct100.96ct to 199.74ct199.74ct to 298.53ct298.53ct to 397.31ct397.31ct to 496.09ct496.09ct to 594.87ct594.87ct to 693.65ct693.65ct to 792.44ct792.44ct to 891.22ct891.22ct to 990.00ct
General Information
A variety or type of:Quartz
Chemical Formula
SiO
 
2
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Physical Properties of Rose Quartz
Mohs Hardness7
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Specific Gravity2.65
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
TenacityBrittle
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) Very brittle
Cleavage QualityNone
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
FractureConchoidal
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Optical Properties of Rose Quartz
Refractive Index1.544 to 1.553
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Birefringence0.009
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
PleochroismWeak: pink - pale pink
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
DispersionNone
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
ChatoyancyStar 4/6
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Common star effect under transmitted light
Colour
Colour (General)Strong pink, pale pink.
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Causes of ColourPink, charge transfer between a substitutional Ti4+ and an interstitial Ti3+ unstable color center O- ion bridging between substitutional aluminum and substitutional phosphorus atom; dumortierite inclusions.
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTranslucent
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Commonly cloudy (semi-transparent)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Inert to weak purple
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Crystallography of Rose Quartz
Crystal SystemTrigonal
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
HabitPrisms, mostly compact
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Further Information
Mineral information:Rose Quartz information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
    • Galiléia
      • Sapucaia do Norte
Wilson (1999)
Madagascar
 
  • Amoron'i Mania
    • Ambositra
Pezzotta (1999)
  • Analamanga
    • Ankazobe District
      • Ambolotarakely
Madagascar - extraLapis English No.1, 2001, p. 44
  • Sava
    • Vohémar District
Madagascar - extraLapis English No.1, 2001, p. 41
  • Vakinankaratra
    • Betafo District
      • Mahaiza
E.Ya. Kievlenko, Geology of gems, 2003, p. 112
Madagascar, extraLapis English No.1, 2001, p. 50
Mozambique
 
  • Zambezia Province
    • Gilé District
Bettencourt-Dias and Wilson (2000)
    • Mulevala District
Bettencourt-Dias and Wilson (2000)
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
    • Yamethin District
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Sri Lanka
 
  • Sabaragamuwa Province
    • Ratnapura District
      • Ratnapura
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