Cochise College Student Papers in Geology
Geology Home Page physical geology historical geology planetary gems
Roger Weller, geology instructor
wellerr@cochise.edu
Rose Quartz
by Melissa R. Stevens
Physical Geology
Fall 2007
Rose Quartz: One of a Kind
Quartz is one of one
of the single most abundant materials on the planet. It makes up approximately
12% of our earth’s crust by being present in several varieties of rocks. Quartz
can be fibrous or microgranular and can come in many different varieties.
Generally, quartz varieties are separated into two main categories,
macrocrystalline or cryptocrystalline. Macrocrystalline varieties are those in
which you can clearly see the individual crystals with the naked eye, and
cryptocrystalline are those in which the crystals are so small they can
sometimes go unseen even under a microscope. Amethyst, citrine, rock crystal and
rose quartz are all different varieties of macrocystalline quartz; and flint and
jasper are varieties of cryptocrystalline quartz.
Amethyst
*Photo Courtesy of R. Weller/Cochise College
Citrine
*Photo Courtesy of R. Weller/Cochise College
Rock Crystal
*Photo Courtesy of R. Weller/Cochise College
Rose Quartz
*Photo Courtesy of R. Weller/Cochise College
Flint
*Photo Courtesy of R. Weller/Cochise College
Jasper
*Photo Courtesy of R. Weller/Cochise College
Rose quartz in
particular is an extremely interesting variety of the mineral quartz. This
mineral varies from a pale pink to a rose red in color, has a vitreous luster,
and a chemical composition of SiO2.
This color is
photosensitive and can fade when exposed to extreme constant heat and/or
sunlight.
This mineral has no cleavage, white streak
and can be opaque to translucent and sometimes, but very rarely, transparent.
The mineral rose
quartz is most often found in large, massive pieces, rarely in crystal form, and
can be found in several different locations around the world, including Germany,
India, Madagascar and the United States. One of the specific locations where a
fair amount of mass rose quartz is found is in South Dakota. However, there have
been some exceptional supplies of rose quartz crystals come from mining in Minas
Gerais, Brazil.
Rose quartz’s color
varies from a pale pink to a rose red and is different from any other mineral
that we are aware of because of this variation. In fact, nobody is quite
positive exactly how the mineral obtains such a unique color. It has been said
that it is due to traces of iron and/or titanium impurities within its
composition. However, some geologists and mineralogists disagree with that idea
and believe that it is due to traces of phosphate and/or aluminum. Recently,
there has been much research done trying to determine the reason for rose
quartz’s color. It has been discovered that there is a possibility that the
reasons for the color differ when the mineral is found in crystal form and in
massive form. Russian scientists have declared that when found in massive
pieces, it gets its color from traces of titanium, but when found in crystal
form, the pink color is due to the presence of phosphate minerals. As of now, it
appears that the exact reason for this minerals unique coloration is still being
decided, however, it seems safe to say that it definitely has something to do
with the presence of titanium.
Generally speaking,
rose quartz is very cloudy in appearance. Occasionally traces of the mineral
rutile, which is an ore of titanium, are present, which cause an asterism effect
in the rose quartz.
Rose quartz is used
for a wide variety of things including ornamental and religious carvings,
statues and jewelry. Due to its cloudy appearance, often times pale color, and
visible flaws in the stone it is the most attractive to the human eye when
carved or rounded. Most often this mineral is cut in pieces and used to
make items such as figurines, vases, religious statues and carved trinkets.
However, it is also popular for use in jewelry, but generally as cabochons or
rounded beads, not as a gemstone.
Rose Quartz Carving
*Photo
Courtesy of Wikipedia.org
Rose Quartz Spheres
*Photo Courtesy of R. Weller/Cochise College
Rose Quartz Cabochons
*Photo Courtesy of R. Weller/Cochise College
Rose Quartz Beads/Necklaces
*Photo Courtesy of R. Weller/Cochise College
In addition to being used for carvings and jewelry rose quartz is said to have many metaphysical properties as well. Many people believe that wearing a piece of rose quartz, whether it be in jewelry form or otherwise will bring you good fortune and assistance in many physical, mental and emotional aspects of your life. It is said that the mineral is helpful in treating depression, aiding in weight loss, preventing wrinkles, increasing self confidence, enhancing compassion, protecting against radiation, calming aggression, achieving inner peace and harmony and many, many more. The metaphysical properties that rose quartz is said to possess have been one influencing factor in its popularity.
Works Cited
1.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_quartz
2.) http://www.galleries.com/minerals/gemstone/rose_qua/rose_qua.htm
3.) http://www.mineralminers.com/html/rsqminfo.htm
4.) http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3672/is_200101/ai_n8936380/pg_1
5.) http://galleries.com/minerals/oxides/rutile/rutile.htm
6.) http://healing.about.com/cs/crystaltherapy/p/p_rosequartz.htm
7.) http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/aawellerweb.htm