Can Rose Quartz Go in the Water? (And Salt Water?)

can-rose-quartz-go-in-water

Rose quartz refers to the pink specimens of the mineral Quartz (SiO2). The stone gets its distinctive pink colour due to microscopic inclusions of a pink variant of dumortierite. Rose Quartz usually occurs as large, anhedral specimens, and they are found in large quantities all over the world.

Have you ever wondered if Rose Quartz can go in the water? In this article, we are going to discuss just that. We will begin by looking at the properties of Rose Quartz. Then, we will talk about the stone’s interaction with elements such as water, sunlight, and fire. Finally, we will discuss how to clean Rose Quartz properly. 

Read: Can Hematite Go in the Water?

Can Rose Quartz Go into the Water?

Yes, rose quartz can go into the water. It has a value of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which is well above the minimum value required for minerals to survive underwater. However, like all stones, they should not be immersed in water for long as that can dull or damage the stone.

Mohs Hardness Scale is a measure of the relative resistance of a mineral to scratching. Besides that, it also indicates a mineral’s interaction with water. Usually, a value over 5.0 implies that the mineral is safe to go in the water.

Soft stones like selenite (value of 2.0 on the Mohs Scale) cannot go in the water. However, even harder stones like Quartz should not be immersed in water for long. Water enters the crevices of stones and widens the cracks. These fissures may not be visible at first but can slowly damage the structure of the stone, making it more brittle.

Water can also tarnish the appearance of the stone. It strips off the polish of the stone, especially those which are treated with oil, making them look a lot duller. Fissures, encouraged by water, affect the structure of the stone and can also change the way light bounces inside the stone. So, the optical property can also get damaged due to water. 

What are the Properties of Rose Quartz?

These are the properties of Rose Quartz:

  1. Colour: The colours of Rose Quartz range from pale pink to vivid pink. It can sometimes also have shades of violet, orangish pink, or rose red. The pink colour comes from microscopic inclusions of a pink variant of dumortierite. Another type of Quartz is transparent and pink (“Pink Quartz”), whose colour comes from irradiation.
  2. Structure: Rose Quartz has a trigonal crystal system. It does not have cleavage and breaks with a conchoidal fracture. It ranges from transparent to translucent in terms of diaphaneity and shows a vitreous lustre. Rose Quartz usually occurs as massive, anhedral crystals in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites.
  3. Hardness: Being a type of Quartz, Rose Quartz has a value of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness scale. It is a moderately resistant mineral and can go in the water safely. The stone also has very good wearability, meaning that it will retain its appearance through regular, everyday use. This is why Rose Quartz is a popular choice for jewellery.
  4. Composition: Rose Quartz is a type of Quartz, which is made up of silica or silicon dioxide (SiO2). Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, only behind feldspar. Rose Quartz has tiny inclusions of dumortierite, which are responsible for giving the stone its distinctive pink colour.
  5. Optical Properties: Rose Quartz exhibits asterism, or the “star stone effect”, which is a star-shaped concentration of refracted/reflected light visible in a gemstone. To get this optical effect, rose quartz has to be cut in such a way that the base is perpendicular to the c-axis of the stone. The best stones show a distinct, symmetrical star in the centre. 
READ:  Quartz vs Diamond (Differences & Similarities)

Can Rose Quartz go in Salt Water?

No, rose quartz should not be put into salt water. The stone has a value of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, meaning that it can survive underwater. However, it should still not be immersed for long. When we bring salt into the mix, it only makes things worse because salt water aggravates the corrosive effect of water.

When dissolved in water, salt can enter the crevices of stones. Here, the salt particles remain even after the water evaporates, and they widen the cracks. This leads to the formation of fissures, which can slowly damage the structure of the stone and make it brittle.

Like water, salt water can also dull the appearance of the stone. Lastly, salt can also combine with the elements of the mineral and react adversely. This is especially true for minerals which contain iron. Salt hastens the rusting process by making the iron lose its electrons more easily.

Rose-Quartz

How Long Can Rose Quartz go in the Water?

Rose Quartz can be put in water for a short amount of time, say a few hours. It has a value of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, meaning that it can safely go underwater. However, it should still not be immersed in water for long. You should never leave the stone in the water for more than 12 hours.

Prolonged exposure to water can dull the surface of the stone, making it look a lot duller. Water also tends to enter the crevices of the stone and widen the cracks. These fissures can slowly damage the structure of the stone, making it more brittle.

READ:  Can Green Aventurine go in the Water? (And in Sun and Salt)

Can Pink Quartz Go in the Water?

Pink quartz can go in the water but should not be immersed for long. Pink quartz is a type of quartz that is transparent (unlike translucent Rose Quartz) and pink in color. It also has a value of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, meaning that it can survive underwater. However, immersing it for a prolonged period can dull or damage the stone. 

Pink quartz is a rare type of quartz that is transparent, occurring as euhedral pink crystals. It is formed by late-stage mineralization in pegmatite pockets. Unlike Rose Quartz, pink quartz does not get its color from inclusions. Instead, its color comes from irradiation-induced color centres and is prone to fading when exposed to light or heat.

Like all stones, pink quartz should not be immersed in water for long. Water enters the crevices of stones and widens their cracks. These fissures can slowly damage the structure of the stone. Water can also dull the color of the stone by stripping off its polish.

Read: Can Citrine go in the Water?

Can Rose Quartz Go in the Sun?

Yes. Rose Quartz can go in the sun but prolonged exposure can lead to discolouration and damage. Rose Quartz has a value of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, meaning that it is quite a resistant and wearable mineral. Still, it should not be left out in sunlight for long.

In general, it is best to avoid putting your crystals in direct sunlight. Instead, you can put your stone on a windowsill, and the glass will act as a protective layer against harmful UV rays. You can try keeping your stone out during the early morning hours when sunlight is gentle.

Can Rose Quartz Go in the Fire?

Yes, a real crystal will not burn in fire as they have very high melting points. Rose Quartz has a melting point of 1650° C and will not be harmed by a flame. If you bring a lighter/candle near the stone, you will only see black soot, which can be easily wiped off.

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Testing stones by bringing a small flame to them is a common method of testing their authenticity. Imitated stones are usually made up of plastic, and these get immediately burnt by fire. Real crystals, on the other hand, survive the flame test easily.

Can Rose Quartz Go in Hot Water?

Rose quartz can go in hot water, but it is usually recommended to put it in lukewarm or regular water. The stone has a value of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, so it can be safely put into water. However, it should not be immersed for long. Moreover, sudden temperature changes can also be harmful to many crystals. 

When cleaning rose quartz, hot water is not the best choice. Instead, you can go with lukewarm or regular water. Just put the stone in a solution of regular water and soft detergent/soap.

Like hot water, cleaning with steam cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners is also not recommended. Read below to find out how to clean rose quartz properly.

Read: Can Aquamarine go in the Water?

How to Clean Rose Quartz?

Follow these steps to clean rose quartz:

  • Mix a soft detergent/soap with lukewarm water.
  • Immerse the stone in the solution for a few minutes, and clean the crevices using a soft brush.
  • Rinse it under running water and get rid of any excess soap.
  • Let the stone air dry. Twist the stone a few times to remove any water.

Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaning as it can damage the stone. If you have a pink quartz (the transparent variant), make sure that you do not expose it to excessive heat or light, as that can cause the colour to fade.

After cleaning, if you want to recharge the stone, you can keep it in brown rice, smudge it with sage, or leave it in moonlight.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the interaction of rose quartz with water. With a value of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, the stone is a moderately hard mineral and is safe underwater. However, like all stones, it should not be immersed for too long as that can damage the stone. We also looked at the stone’s interaction with various elements and saw how to clean them properly. 

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