The main difference between pink quartz and rose quartz is that pink quartz mostly tends to be transparent, whereas rose quartz is translucent.
Pink quartz and rose quartz are two types of quartz with similar colors. But they seem to have different optical, physical, and chemical properties. Furthermore, pink quartz is extremely uncommon, whereas rose quartz is more common and is, therefore, less expensive than most other gemstones.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Pink Quartz
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
2. What is Rose Quartz
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
3. Similarities Between Pink Quartz and Rose Quartz
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Pink Quartz and Rose Quartz
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Hyaline Quartz, Pink Quartz, Rose Quartz
What is Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is a pink-colored quartz that ranges from a very light, almost unnoticeable pink to a rich pink. Another name for this rose quartz is hyaline quartz. Rose quartz gemstones are common, abundant, and found in many places in the world. South Africa, Brazil, Namibia, Germany, and Madagascar are a few countries that commercially mine these stones. Since rose quartz is abundant, its price is typically lower than other gemstones. Moreover, they are generally found as large, anhedral occurrences in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. Also, they are usually cut into faceted stones, cabochons, and beads.
The color of the rose quartz is said to originate from microscopic inclusions of a pink variety of dumortierite. These inclusions are plentiful enough to make the gemstone translucent instead of transparent. The stones are usually somewhat uniformly colored. Quartz with a pink color that shows transparent properties are pink quartz.
What is Pink Quartz
Pink quartz is another type of quartz known for its pale pink color and is often used in jewelry and decorative objects. The color of this quartz is due to small amounts of aluminum, Al(+3), and phosphorus, P(+5), that are built pairwise into the crystal lattice to substitute Si(+4) and successive high-energy irradiation. This gemstone is often accompanied by phosphate minerals. Unlike rose quartz, pink quartz is mostly transparent. It is also extremely uncommon. It is photo-catalytically unstable and creates single crystals. Pink quartz is sensitive to light and tends to pale quickly under direct sunlight.
Pink quartz represents love, and people exchange it as a gift to express love and affection. People believe that it has healing properties and use it often in crystal therapy and spiritual practices.
Similarities Between Pink Quartz and Rose Quartz
- Pink quartz and rose quartz are two types of quartz with a similar color.
- Some consider them to be the same gemstone.
- Both are considered to be feminine and delicate.
- These gemstones represent love and affection.
Difference Between Pink Quartz and Rose Quartz
Definition
Rose quartz is a pink-colored quartz that ranges from a very light, almost unnoticeable pink to a rich pink, whereas pink quartz is a single crystal of quartz with a similar color.
Transparent vs Transculent
Pink quartz mostly tends to be transparent, whereas rose quartz is translucent.
Abundance
Furthermore, pink quartz is rare, while rose quartz is abundant in many regions.
Light Sensitivity
Pink quartz is light-sensitive, but rose quartz is not light-sensitive.
Single Crystals
Pink quartz evolves single crystals, whereas rose quartz doesn’t.
Stability
Pink quartz is photo-catalytically unstable, while rose quartz is not.
Conclusion
Pink quartz and rose quartz are two types of quartz that have a pink color. The main difference between pink quartz and rose quartz is that pink quartz mostly tends to be transparent, whereas rose quartz is translucent. Furthermore, pink quartz is rare, while rose quartz is abundant in many regions.
Reference:
1. “Rose Quartz.” Geology.com
Image Courtesy:
1. “Rose quartz Spain” By Bergminer – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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