GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Rose Quartz (Lavender)
Rose quartz can carry a distinctly lavender cast.
What the report found: The specimen is essentially natural quartz with widespread fluid and solid inclusions. The lab detected minor iron and titanium and did not observe dumortierite fibers at the examination scale.
The report suggests its lavender hue may involve structural defects together with iron and titanium effects; it does not assign a definitive single color mechanism. The original report's Table 1 heading says “aquamarine disk,” while the sample ID and findings identify this specimen as rose quartz. The original is shown unaltered below.
Related entries: Rose Quartz (Blue)
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Transcript of the original analytical report, including figure descriptions and findings.
Analytical Result Report Sample id: 9213 (rose quartz) Submitted by: K. Bitner Date submitted: Oct. 16, 2020 Date completed: Nov. 2, 2020 Operating conditions: JEOL JSM-6400 operated at 25 kV acceleration potential, 15 mm working distance, 15 degrees sample tilt, coated with 250 Å carbon. Using the X-ray fluorescence attachment with 35kv potental in conjunction with the EDS system. Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen 30 mm wide. Fig. 2. Enegry dispersive spectrum of the specimen. Essentially, a pretty clean quartz spectrum. Fig. 3: Photomicrograph of nclusions in the specimen. 380 microns field of view. Image stacked from 12 images. Fig. 4: Surface after etching with hydrofluoric acid. 380 microns field of view. Image stacked from 12 images. Table 1: Trace element compositions of the aquamarine disk element Iron 253 ppm Titanium 128 ppm Summary of findings: This is a very interesting specimen. Though essentially quartz (Figs. 1 and 2), it only shows very minor trace element amounts, notably iron and titanium (Table 1). Fluid and solid inclusions are widespread, especially along healed fractures. Many rose quartz specimens have inclusions of dumortierite needles which are believed to be the cause of the color of rose quartz and also explains the asterism seen in some specimens. This specimen does not show any dumortierite fibers but there have been documented cases of rose quartz which is lacking them. Or they may be too small to make them visible. The specimen is doubtlessly natural in origin. The color is stronger with a distinctive lavender hue but may be due to a combination of defects in the structure coupled with effects of iron and titanium, possibly by intervalence charge transfer reactions. I have seen rose quartz that shows a range of hues from pink to lavender. Date: November 2,2020 Signature