The list of beautiful, semi-precious gemstones would be incomplete without the mention of Rose Quartz. Subtle and elegant, this jewel has caught the eye of many over the last few years and the demand for it continues to see a steady rise.
But what is Rose Quartz and does the demand translate into a hefty cost per carat? Keep reading to find out!
First things first…
Rose Quartz is the pink variety of the quartz mineral. While the finest ones come from Brazil, countries like India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and South Africa also contribute to the world’s reserve of Rose Quartz. This gem is typically found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites, and owes its hue to trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese. In some rare cases, the presence of microscopic rutile needles leads to the phenomenon of asterism – display of a star-shaped pattern on this gem.
The Rose Quartz is admired for its soft translucence and can be found in a variety of shades ranging from a light pink and medium-dark pink to a pinkish-purple hue.
The reason for its fame
The Rose Quartz comes with its own set of USPs which result in its popularity.
1. Colour
Unsurprisingly, the delicate pink hue is one of the main features of this gemstone. Not only is it classy in its own right, but the softness of the colour can also infuse a feminine charm into almost any outfit.
While this stone was always valued among gem enthusiasts, it gained public limelight only when it was declared as the Pantone colour of the Year in 2016.
Currently, deep-pink variant is the most sought-after shade of this gem.
2. Through History…
Interestingly, the use of this gem can be traced back to 7000 BC. In fact, historians found many Rose Quartz beads during their Mesopotamian excavations. That said, it was the Romans and the Assyrians who first used this gem extensively for jewellery crafting.
This occurred somewhere between 800 and 600 BC. Since then, Rose Quartz has consistently been used for the creation of art and décor items, and in crystal therapy as well.
3. Myths and Symbolism
Throughout history, people have linked this gem with various magical powers.
Greeks believed that the Rose Quartz could bring them good luck. The Egyptians, on the other hand, thought that this gem had the ability to make them look younger. Romans used the stone as a seal of ownership.
In the Middle Ages, Rose Quartz was a common ingredient used in healing potions and was said to help one deal with negative emotions, such as anger and disappointment. Many people also associated this jewel with love and it was worn to restore harmony in a relationship.
While none of these beliefs are backed by any scientific evidence, they have significantly added to the intrigue surrounding the stone.
Back to the main question – is it expensive?
Even though the Rose Quartz is considerably sought-after, it is quite pocket friendly due to the ease of accessibility.
Typically, translucent rose quartz stones that are pure to purplish pink in colour may command higher prices than those that with lighter tones.
The price of this gem will also vary depending on the source you’re buying from. Usually online retailers offer better value for your money since the middlemen are not involved.
So the starting price for this gemstone is around $100 per carat. Having said that, the cost could easily exceed $1000 depending on the overall grade of the jewel.
Conclusion
Rose Quartz is undoubtedly an eye-catching gemstone. Considering its delicate beauty and relative affordability, this jewel should definitely be a part of your jewellery arsenal.
Also read – Is Opal an Expensive Gem?
