ROSE QUARTZ  

The first hint of spring why not add a touch of pink.

The pale pink color of quartz, which can range from transparent to translucent, is known as rose quartz. The color is a very pale and delicate powder pink. Transparent rose quartz is very rare, and usually so pale that it does not show very much color at all except in large sizes. Translucent rose quartz is much more readily available, being used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and architectural purposes.

Rose quartz is one of the most desirable varieties of quartz. The blushing pink to rose color is completely unique, unlike any other pink mineral species. The color is caused by iron and titanium impurities.

Beads of rose quartz have been found in Mesopotamia that date back to 7000 B.C. It is said that the Assyrians and the Romans were the first to use it. In ancient Rome, rose quartz was popular for making seals, which were used in clay or various dyes to show ownership or identify authors.

Rose quartz is found in Madagascar, India, Germany and several localities in the USA. Much rose quartz was extracted from a famous site near Custer, South Dakota, but now, most of the world’s supply of good carvable rose quartz comes from Brazil.

As with all colored minerals it should not be left in prolonged sunlight.