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GeneralWhy are rose quartz crystals so rare?

6th Apr 2012 16:28 UTCEric Greene

I'm interested in finding information about why rose quartz crystals are so rare. I have not been able to find a source that directly answers that question, though several say it is a “scientific mystery”. Here are a few quotes that I found, which suggest a reason:

"Transparent euhedral crystals of rose quartz crystals are found in granite pegmatites, and have their color attributed to phosphorus and/or aluminum substituting for silicon. A few people have suggested that rose quartz crystals, which owe their coloration to P substituting for Si, be called by a different varietal name "pink quartz"."

"The color of massive rose quartz is still not completely understood. It has been said to be due to a number of different minor impurities present in the rose quartz including titanium, manganese and even colloidal gold. However, recent studies using micro-analytical methods have discovered that the color of massive rose quartz is actually due to microscopic mineral fibers in the rose quartz. X-ray diffraction tests on these microscopic fibers yielded patterns similar to the mineral dumortierite but slightly different, suggesting the possibility of a totally new and as yet unknown fibrous mineral causing the color in massive rose quartz."

This suggests to me that the fibrous impurities in massive rose quartz might impede crystallization, perhaps in a way similar to the way quartz crystals with hedenbergite from Greece and Russia crystallize in strange and unusual ways. So, if the fibrous mineral is not the cause of the color, and it is phosphorus or aluminum impurities that cause it, that might be the explanation.

Does anyone have any information about this topic?

6th Apr 2012 16:35 UTCAmir C. Akhavan Expert

I will first fix the description and be back later...

6th Apr 2012 17:35 UTCAmir C. Akhavan Expert

http://www.mindat.org/min-3456.html

6th Apr 2012 18:28 UTCRonald John Gyllenhammer Expert

Hi Eric,

You may have already seen this paper but I thought I'd refer it to you anyway. It's a good discussion on the topic although the thrust of the subject mainly covers coloration in massive rose quartz due to nanofiber inclusions. http://www.its.caltech.edu/~chima/publications/2001_AM_rose_quartz.pdf From page 467, a discussion on coloration of actual euhedral crystals: "EPR spectra of natural euhedral rose quartz showed that this type of rose quartz contains hole centers induced by ionizing radiation. Maschmeyer and Lehmann (1983) have attributed rose quartz color to these centers."

As to your question of the rarity of euhedral rose quartz, I do not know for certain but I will say I suspect that since much of rose quartz that's found in pegmatites I think is found closer to the cores and presumably late to crystalize, these areas I suspect would have longer to de-gas and maybe less opportunity to form pockets. Pegmatites enriched in Al and P may perhaps afford ealier substitution in the outer zones of a pegmatite where you may be more likely to find these pockets for unencumbered euhedral growth. Just my two cents on your great question. Wish I could be more helpful, maybe someone else has more insight.

Ron

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