What Is the Meaning of Rose Quartz? Symbolism, Care & Jewelry
Rose quartz is the soft pink variety of quartz and has been seen as the stone of love for centuries: romantic love, but also friendship and self-love. The stone is milky rather than clear, with a tender, powder-pink color. When people talk about the 'properties' of rose quartz, they usually mean that traditional meaning: gentleness, calm and connection. Below you will read what rose quartz is, what it means and how to wear and care for it.
The short answer
Rose quartz is pink quartz: the same mineral family as amethyst and rock crystal, with a soft, milky glow.
- Meaning: love, gentleness, friendship and self-love.
- Properties: this is how the stone is traditionally described; there is no proven or medical effect.
- Zodiac: often linked to Taurus and Libra. Rose quartz is not on the classic birthstone list.
- Origin: Brazil and Madagascar, among other places.
- Care: take it off around water, soap and perfume, and do not store it in strong sunlight. The stainless steel is waterproof, the stone less so.
What is rose quartz?
Rose quartz is a pink variety of quartz, the mineral that rock crystal, amethyst and tiger's eye also belong to. Unlike amethyst, rose quartz almost never forms well-shaped individual crystals; it grows as a solid mass. That is why the stone is usually translucent and milky, with soft clouds inside.
Where exactly the pink color comes from has long been studied. It used to be attributed to traces of titanium, iron or manganese; today the color is mainly linked to microscopic fibers of another mineral inside the quartz. With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, rose quartz is durable enough for jewelry.
The best-known deposits are in Brazil and Madagascar; rose quartz is also found in India, South Africa and the United States, among other places. Because it is natural stone, no two stones are exactly alike: one is paler, another a slightly deeper pink.
The meaning of rose quartz: the stone of love
In the world of gemstones, rose quartz is known as the stone of love. That does not only mean romantic love:
- LoveFor a partner, as a sign of affection without big words.
- FriendshipA classic gift for a best friend, sister or mother.
- Self-loveA reminder to be kind to yourself, even on busy days.
- Calm and comfortRose quartz is seen as a gentle stone for times of change or grief.
In crystal lore, rose quartz belongs to the heart chakra, which stands for connection and compassion. Rose quartz has long been used for beads and carvings; in China, for example, it was made into figurines and small bottles. The stories linking the stone to Eros and Aphrodite, the Greek gods of love, belong to mythology and legend. They do explain why rose quartz has been called the stone of love for so long.
Rose quartz properties: what is the stone said to do?
Rose quartz properties usually refer to what the stone is credited with in crystal lore: becoming gentler with yourself, opening your heart, finding calm after a difficult time. That is why people often wear it during a period of change, or give it to someone who could use some love.
There is no scientific evidence that rose quartz has any effect on your feelings or your health, and a stone is never a substitute for help or advice. Think of it as a meaning you carry with you: a small pink sign that says 'I'm thinking of you', or 'be kind to yourself'.
Rose quartz, zodiac signs and birth months
Rose quartz is not on the classic list of birthstones by month. If you want a stone that belongs to a month, take a look at birthstones by month. In astrology, rose quartz is often linked to Taurus (April 20 to May 20) and Libra (September 23 to October 22), two signs traditionally ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty. You will find more stones and symbols per sign in zodiac jewelry.
Rose quartz jewelry from Lundholm
At Lundholm you will find genuine rose quartz in necklaces, a ring, earrings and a bracelet, always combined with premium stainless steel in gold-tone or silver-tone. You will find everything with natural stone in our natural stone jewelry collection.
Shop the look
Gryning – first light
A complete pink look in warm gold, as soft as the first morning sun. Every piece also works perfectly on its own.
- Rosan necklace with rose quartz
- Novi studs with rose quartz
- Seya bracelet with hearts and rose quartz
- Rosan ring with pink natural stone
Rose quartz necklace
The Rosan has a teardrop pendant of genuine rose quartz and comes in gold-tone and silver-tone. Gold makes the pink warmer, silver makes it fresher; choose the color you already wear most.
Rose quartz ring and bracelet
The Zoleste is an adjustable statement ring with a large rose quartz, so you do not need to know a ring size. The Seya is a double-strand bracelet with little hearts and a rose quartz stone: the sweetest choice if you give rose quartz as a sign of love or friendship. Read more about wearing hearts in how to wear heart jewelry.
Rose quartz earrings
Small studs are the easiest way to wear rose quartz every day. Want a little more movement? Choose hoops with a dangling stone: the Agneta with a rectangular cut stone, or the new Ottilie with a little bar of rose quartz.
How to wear rose quartz
Rose quartz is one of the easiest stones to wear: its soft pink suits almost every skin tone and every wardrobe. In gold-tone it becomes warm and romantic, in silver-tone cool and fresh. Not sure? Read gold or silver: which suits me best?
- This fall. Rose quartz against plum, burgundy or a cream sweater: the pink takes on a soft, warm glow.
- With hearts. Rose quartz and hearts strengthen each other; keep the rest smooth and delicate.
- With other stones. Amethyst for a pink and purple mix, tiger's eye for a warm contrast, pearls for a romantic look.
- In layers. A short rose quartz pendant with a longer, plain chain underneath. More in how to layer necklaces.
Caring for rose quartz
Rose quartz is hard, but it is still natural stone. The stainless steel of Lundholm jewelry is waterproof and hypoallergenic; the stone is not, at least not in the same way. Soap, chlorine, salt water, perfume and body lotion dull its glow and can affect the setting over time. So:
- Take rose quartz off for showering, swimming, sports and the sauna.
- Perfume and body lotion first, jewelry last.
- Clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then wipe dry. No salt water or harsh products.
- Do not store it in full sun. Opinions differ on whether rose quartz fades; a box or pouch is always the safe choice.
- Store separately to avoid scratches.
In crystal lore, rose quartz is sometimes 'cleansed' in salt water or 'charged' in the sun. Better not do that with jewelry: salt attacks the setting and strong sunlight does the stone no good. Moonlight does no harm. You will find more tips in how to clean jewelry by material.
Rose quartz as a gift
Rose quartz is a gift with meaning that never feels heavy: for your best friend, your mother, your sister, your partner or simply for yourself. You will find more ideas in gifts for your best friend. Order before 3 pm (CET) on a working day and we ship the same day. Free shipping thresholds depend on your country; you will find the details on our shipping page. When you order from our own web shop, you always get a free gift bag too. On larger orders, our gift ladder adds free gifts as well (different ones every month).
Frequently asked questions about rose quartz
What is the meaning of rose quartz?
Rose quartz traditionally stands for love in all its forms: romantic love, friendship and self-love. It is also seen as a stone of gentleness, calm and comfort.
What are the properties of rose quartz?
In crystal lore, rose quartz is seen as a stone that helps you be kinder to yourself and open your heart. There is no scientific evidence of any effect on feelings or health. Think of it as a meaning you carry with you.
Which zodiac sign is rose quartz for?
Rose quartz is often linked to Taurus and Libra, the two signs ruled by Venus. It is not an official birthstone.
Is rose quartz the same as pink quartz?
In everyday language, yes. Strictly speaking, rose quartz is the milky, massive form; clear pink crystals are sometimes called 'pink quartz' separately by geologists.
Can you shower with rose quartz?
Better not. The stainless steel is waterproof, but soap, chlorine and salt water dull the stone and can affect the setting. Take rose quartz jewelry off for showering, swimming and sports.
Does rose quartz fade in the sun?
Opinions differ. Clear pink quartz can fade in strong light; the milky rose quartz used in jewelry is much less prone to it. To be safe, keep it in a box rather than on the windowsill.
How can you tell if rose quartz is real?
Genuine rose quartz is almost never perfectly even: you will see little clouds and a milky glow. A stone that is completely clear and evenly colored, with tiny air bubbles, is often glass.
Is rose quartz a good gift?
Yes. The stone has a clear meaning (love, friendship, self-love) without feeling heavy, and suits a friend, mother, sister or partner.
Looking for rose quartz?
Discover all our natural stone jewelry: rose quartz, amethyst, tiger's eye and more. Premium stainless steel, hypoallergenic and beautifully gift-wrapped.
