Rose quartz is not one of the most commonly seen specimens in mineral collections because it rarely occurs in the well-formed crystals preferred by collectors. The exceptions have been a few spectacular specimens of pink quartz with well-formed crystals that have sold for very high prices.

One specimen of note is “La Madona Rosa” (The Pink Madonna) that was sold for $550,000 in June, 2013 by Heritage Auctions (see video). This specimen is believed to have been discovered at the Sapucaia Mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil in the 1950s. It consists of a central cluster of smoky quartz crystals surrounded by a halo of quartz crystals with a vivid pink color. It is about 39 centimeters tall and about 20 centimeters wide.

“The Van Allen Belt” is another famous pink quartz specimen from Minas Gerias, Brazil. It consists of a central cluster of smoky quartz crystals surrounded by a belt of pink quartz. It is on display in The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.

Rose Quartz and Amethyst: A bead neckace, earrings, and a puffed heart pendant of rose quartz and amethyst. Beads and puffed hearts are two of the most popular uses of rose quartz.