Rose Quartz generally, as the name suggests, is a very delicate soft pink, rose quartz is always somewhat milky rather than transparent. It varies in color from an off-white pink to a warm rose-pink color. The pink color is created by the inclusion of manganese and sometimes titanium in the quartz rock.
Until recently, rose quartz was thought to be found only in massive forms - in deposits and veins - but it has now also been found in Brazil in small deposits of crystal form. While Namibia and South Africa are the main sources of the stone used today in jewelry and gemstone products, deep pink varieties are also found in Brazil and Madagascar. Some rose quartz specimens are asterated - that is showing a star of light reflected in the stone caused by impurities.
The early Chinese used rose quartz for carvings of the Goddess of Peace as the color was thought to reflect her gentleness and wisdom. Today the stone is used extensively in the manufacture of necklaces, pendants and small sculptured ornaments.
Its color is often imitated in glass, but air bubbles are ususlly clearly visible under a lens, easily proving that it is not genuine.
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