Rose quartz crystals represent love and compassion. They are the strongest stone for empathy and compassion on earth, making them the number one choice for friends, lovers, and those who seek to love themselves better.
What is Rose Quartz?
Rose quartz is a love stone that helps heal, build, and improve one’s outlook on life. It is a composition of silicon dioxide with mineral additions that give it an alluring pink hue.
The stone is commonly for increasing feelings of compassion, desire, and care. Though there aren’t many varieties of rose quartz, it serves such a general purpose that it is just as versatile as stones with dozens of types.
Varieties of Rose Quartz
Rose quartz comes in two forms, separated by geological properties. These two types are the only varieties on the market, with any other options being imposters.
Anhedral Rose Quartz
Anhedral rose quartz appears in translucent masses of crystals. It is sometimes purplish and sometimes smoky with gray tones. The anhedral variety is documented as being fibrous and stable under ultraviolet light.
Pegmatite Rose Quartz
Pegmatite rose quartz forms in pegmatite pockets, sometimes paired with smoky quartz. This type of rose quartz creates the traditional obelisks and clusters. They are much lighter on average than anhedral varieties and are much more susceptible to fading under ultraviolet light.
Geological Origin of Rose Quartz
Rose quartz crystals were first documented in Mesopotamia, which is Iraq today. They were found around 7000 BC and continue to grow in the area. Today, the pink crystals also form in North America, South America, and other regions in the Middle East.
Properties of Rose Quartz
| Classification | Silicate |
| Formula | SiO2 |
| Specific Gravity | 2.65 |
| Refractive Index | 1.544-1.553 |
| System | Trigonal |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Mohs Hardness | 7 |
| 2V Angle | 58-63° |
| Birefringence | 0.009 |
| Dispersion | 0.013 |
Rose quartz crystals are made of primarily silicon dioxide, but the pink color comes from traces of titanium, iron, and manganese. These traces work their way into the lava as it cools. Pure silica is white or clear, but the addition of these minerals, such as titanium, adds a hue to it that causes a chemical reaction due to the increase in pH balance.
Rose Quartz History and Symbolism
Rose quartz has historical and cultural symbolism that dates back thousands of years. It was plentiful in the Middle East and Europe, making it common for ancient civilizations to utilize it.
Assyrian Jewelry
Rose quartz crystals were first made into jewelry by the Assyrians around 800 BC. Before then, it served other purposes, but around that time, Assyrians made rose quartz jewelry for spiritual, fashionable, and practical use.
Ancient Egypt
In Ancient Egypt, rose quartz was associated with the goddess of fertility, Isis. It was commonly used to help women become pregnant as well as bless the baby while it was in the womb.
Ancient Greece
Rose quartz is connected to Aphrodite and Adonis in Ancient Greece. Aphrodite tried to save Adonis from Ares, who was a wild boar.
But she got caught up in a briar push, which caused her to bleed. Adonis and Aphrodite’s blood mixed and stained the nearby clear quartz pink.
Ancient Rome
In Ancient Rome, rose quartz was a sign of ownership. Whether it was property or traits, the pink stone was a common way to let outsiders know that the Roman in charge was stepping up to claim what they saw as rightfully theirs.
Healing Properties of Rose Quartz
- Strengthen love – whether it’s with yourself, a lover, or a family member
- Awaken sensuality – find out who you are as a man or woman.
- Improve blood flow – the circulatory system benefits from rose quartz.
- Move on – use the pink crystal to let go of the past.
- Anti-aging – an old tale that may ring true today