Rose quartz is a quartz variety that gets its name from its delicate pink colour.

Rose quartz is a variety of quartz, one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, often found in everyday sand, dirt, and dust. Known for its gentle pink hue, rose quartz ranges from very light (nearly white) to medium-dark pink. Larger specimens with rich colour are rarer and more sought after. Unlike other quartz varieties, rose quartz typically appears in massive form without well-defined crystal faces and is commonly found in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.

The distinctive pink colour of rose quartz is attributed to microscopic inclusions of aligned silicate mineral fibres. These inclusions, which are similar but not identical to the mineral dumortierite, crystallize out as the rose quartz cools, aligning with the crystal structure of the gem.

Rose quartz’s characteristic translucent appearance, due to these inclusions, makes it ideal for cabochons and beads. When cut into cabochons and oriented correctly, the inclusions can create a six-rayed star effect, with high-quality examples displaying a sharp star above a vibrant pink colour. Transparent rose quartz is more unusual and is sometimes faceted to enhance its delicate colour through concave cuts or larger sizes.

The gem’s soft translucence makes it a favourite among carvers for creating delicate or whimsical figures. The finest rose quartz typically comes from Brazil, with notable sources also in India, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka.

In addition to the typical cloudy rose quartz, there is a rarer form known as “pink crystalline quartz” or “pink quartz,” which is transparent and has a different coloration mechanism. This variety, often found in clusters of well-formed crystals, is highly prized. One exceptional specimen, the La Madona Rosa (the Pink Madonna), sold for $662,500 in 2013. This piece, measuring 15.5 x 8 inches, features a core of smoky quartz surrounded by a halo of sparkling pink quartz crystals.

Some rose quartz can fade when exposed to natural light, but its color can be restored through irradiation. Research into synthetic pink quartz shows that it can achieve similar results by incorporating aluminium and phosphorous impurities, which, when irradiated, produce the characteristic pink colour.