Rose Quartz

Name:

The name quartz comes from the Saxon word querklufterz which meant cross vein ore. Rose Quartz itself takes its name from the flower because of its translucent and delicate pink colour caused by traces of iron, manganese or titanium. It is also often called the "Love Stone." It is a stone of unconditional love that opens the heart chakra to all forms of love: self-love, family love, platonic love, and romantic love.

Description:

Rose quartz is a microcrystalline variety of the mineral Quartz (SiO2). Quartz is the most abundant single mineral on earth. It makes up about 12% of the earth's crust, and occurring in a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

Quartz varieties are commonly separated into two groups based on the size of the individual grains or crystals; microcrystalline quartz in which individual crystals are distinguishable with the naked eye, and cryptocrystalline quartz in which the individual crystals are too small to be easily distinguishable under the light microscope.

Gemmological Characteristics:

In a way, the term Rose Quartz Crystal is actually a misnomer because this healing gemstone rarely forms crystals with actual points. In most cases rose quartz crystal will not grow above extremely tiny points that are almost too small to see. Occasionally however, actual rose quartz crystals with individually terminated points are found in the Minas Garis and Poco D'Anta mines in Brazil.

If you are extremely lucky, you might happen upon a rose quartz crystal that actually glows in the dark from the phosphorus content of the stone.

Holistic Properties:

Rose Quartz has a gentle vibration of love for the owner. It gives inner peace and helps in all matters pertaining to love in all its forms. Rose Quartz opens the heart to love. It also helps as a rejuvenator to the skin. It is a lovely stone for a young person.
It is said washing the face in water charged by rose quartz will help fade winkles and keep the skin young. Gem Folklore:

Legend has it that Topaz dispels all enchantment and helps to improve eyesight. The Greeks believed that it had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency. Its mystical, curative powers waxed and waned with the phases of the moon.

Sourcing:

Topaz occurs in igneous rocks such as pegmatite’s, granites and volcanic lavas and localities include Brazil, the US, Australia, Tasmania, Pakistan, Mexico, and Russia (pink topaz).

History:

The Egyptians said that Topaz was coloured with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun. Perhaps the most famous Topaz is a giant specimen set in the Portuguese Crown, the Braganza, which was fist thought to be a diamond. There is also a beautiful Topaz set in the Green Vault in Dresden, one of the world’s important gem collections. The Smithsonian Institution also sports a Topaz in its “Hall of Giants” which exhibit some of the largest gemstones ever faceted.

Zodiac & Birthstone:

Zodiac: Sagittarius (November 23 - December 20), Month: November