Quartz, Rose, Tumbled

Rose Quartz is a pink variety of quartz that occurs in large translucent masses. It is never transparent, and it does not form crystal faces or crystals. It is not a cryptocrystalline variety, however, as it is made up of many intergrown crystal subindividuals. Rose quartz can be grainy, but the material used for lapidary purposes is built more homogeneously, like the specimen of unknown origin to the right.

The pink variety of quartz that forms crystals is called Pink Quartz. Despite being macrocrystalline varieties of similar color, rose quartz and pink quartz should be treated as different varieties as:

- the cause of their color is not the same,
- pink quartz is sensitive to light, while rose quartz is not
- both varieties form in different environments, and
- pink quartz develops crystals while rose quartz does not.

The color can vary from a very bright pink to almost purple. Rose quartz is usually very evenly colored.

The Color Debate

The debate about the cause of the color is slowly settling, although there are still a few open questions. For the past 30-40 years it was assumed that rutile TiO₂ inclusions are the cause. Other proposals included the presence of irradiation induced color centers, similar to amethyst or smoky quartz, either in included minerals, or in the quartz substance itself. The color indeed disappears upon heating rose quartz, but at temperatures above 500°C, much higher than the temperatures required to bleach amethyst, certain citrines and smoky quartz, which do have irradiation induced color centers. Heated rose quartz will not regain its color upon irradiation. Irradiation (both natural or artificial) of rose quartz can lead to the formation of additional smoky quartz centers and according alterations in color. It is therefore unlikely that the color is caused by irradiation induced color centers. On the other hand there are reports of rose quartz from certain locations (Brazil) fading when exposed to sunlight, which supports the presence of color centers.

More recently it has been suggested by Applin and Hicks (1987) that fibrous inclusions of the mineral dumortierite (Al,Fe)₇ [O₃ | BO₃ | (SiO₄)₃] are responsible for the haze and color of rose quartz. This first sounds like an odd suggestion, as dumortierite is often deeply blue (even the color of its streak), but there are pink variants.

The nature of the colorizing agent in rose quartz has recently been studied by Goreva, Ma and Rossman (2001), following the more "direct" approach that was already chosen by Applin and Hicks: they dissolved rose quartz from various locations in hydrofluoric acid and extracted mats of a fibrous, rose-colored mineral that is related, but apparently not identical to dumortierite. That mineral makes up only about 0.05% - 0.15% of the overall weight of rose quartz. The mineral will bleach when heated above 500°C, but will not regain its color when irradiated. Color loss can be induced by oxidizing agents, too, and heat treatment in a reducing atmosphere will turn heated and paled material rose-colored again.

Metaphysical Properties of Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is a stone that has always been connected to Universal love, and aids in opening the heart chakra to self-love. This awakening of the heart also provides deep feelings of personal fulfillment and contentment. Rose Quartz carries a feminine energy that encourages compassion, peace, tenderness and healing which brings forth feelings of nourishment and comfort. It aids in cleansing the emotions and the entire auric field, healing the heart of its wounds. It promotes the release of tension and stress, dissolution of anger and resentment, and dispelling of fear and suspicion, providing a rebirth of hope and faith.