Found   in only a few locations, Strawberry  Quartz receives its unique colouring through  Hematite  and  Lepidocrocite  inclusions.  Many  people  have  wrongly  mistaken  Strawberry  Quartz  for  Quenched  Crackle  Quartz,  but  under  closer  examination,  it  becomes apparent that Strawberry Quartz is  completely natural. Also, it’s worth pointing  out that the name has been incorrectly used by  several  jewellers  who  are  selling  glass and passing it off as a gemstone!

Depending  on  the  location  where  each  gemstone has so far been found, the gemstone  has different visual qualities. Those sold so  far at Coloured Rocks have all been from  Madagascar and are 100% natural, without  treatment, without enhancement and without  heating! They are truly a miracle produced  by Mother Nature. 

The find that we have is from a big open  pit mine. We have sourced a lot of material  from this mine: most of it is opaque and only  has black spots; less than 4% of the material  appears transparent and has the strawberry  coloured spots. The only problem is, we have  to continually cut away at the less attractive  material to reach the fascinating gem quality  Strawberry Quartz.

For  a  gemstone  whose  availability  is  so  scant,  because  of  its  unusual  appearance,  it  has  already  received  a  lot  interest  from  crystal healers and astrologists. Strawberry  Quartz is said to ‘stimulate the energy of the  heart filling one with the feeling of love’.

FACTS

• Mineral: Beryl
• Chemical composition: Be3Al2Si6O18
• Color: Pink to orange-pink
• Refractive index: 1.583 to 1.590
• Birefringence: 0.007 to 0.008
• Specific gravity:   2.80 to 2.91
• Mohs hardness: 7.5 to 8