Rose Quartz
There are three types of pink-colored quartz. The first and most common is rose quartz.
Rose quartz forms in a translucent mass without crystal faces. It is always hazy due to microscopic fibrous inclusions of dididumortierite, a pink borosilicate mineral related to dumortierite.
These inclusions inhibit crystal development and when intersected at a 60° angle show
asterism from reflected light.
Rose quartz is commonly found in pegmatite, is believed to form at high temperatures, has also been found in hydrothermal veins, and is stable up to 575°C. It’s also generally stable in UV light.
Pink Quartz
Rose quartz also occurs in well-formed crystals. This type is called “pink quartz,” “terminated rose quartz,” or “rosaquartz.”
Pink quartz is found in late-formation pegmatite pockets, often overgrowing smoky quartz.
Irradiation-induced aluminum and phosphorous replace silicon in the lattice causing the pink color.
The color is very heat and light sensitive and bleaches in sunlight much faster than either amethyst or smoky quartz.
Pink quartz forms in tiny crystals and is much rarer than rose quartz.
Pink Amethyst
The third type of pink quartz is pink amethyst. Pink amethyst is found only in the area of the El Chiquada mine in Patagonia, Argentina.
The color comes from iron activated by irradiation and microscopic hematite particles. Amethyst is infiltrated by microscopic hematite particles, changing the color from purple to pink.
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Rose Quartz
Image by: James St. John
Pink Quartz
Image source: Mindat
Pink Amethyst
Image by: Géry Parent
Last Updated on 3 September 2022 by Angel Doran