Gemstone profile and identification guide

Strawberry Quartz

Strawberry quartz is a quartz trade variety with red-pink coloration often linked to internal inclusions.

7 Mohs Pink Red, Strawberry Red Silicate (Quartz Inclusion/Color Trade Variety)

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Overview

Strawberry quartz is a quartz trade variety with red-pink coloration often linked to internal inclusions.

Did you know? The name is descriptive and can cover multiple quartz color mechanisms in trade.

Use this profile as a collector reference and educational guide for quick on-page comparison, then validate with the interactive identification system.

Identification

Name: Strawberry Quartz

Scientific classification: Silicate (Quartz Inclusion/Color Trade Variety)

Hardness: 7 Mohs

Transparency: transparent

Lustre: vitreous

Crystal system: Trigonal

Primary colour: Pink Red

Secondary colour: Strawberry Red

Colour family: Reds

Verify whether color is inclusion-based natural material or treated product.

Verification Status

Status: verified-core-fields

Reference priority: GIA, Gem-A, Mindat, International Gem Society

Core identity, locality, and physical-property fields reviewed against standard gemological references.

Trade-name and treatment-sensitive entries include explicit disclosure language where applicable.

Physical Properties

Hardness category: hard

Hardness value: 7 Mohs

Chemical composition: Silicon dioxide (SiO2), often with iron-oxide or lepidocrocite-type inclusions

Crystal system: Trigonal

Common locations: Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, India

Learn more: Gem-A gemstone education resources.

Colour Variations

Quartz with pink-red body or inclusion coloration marketed as strawberry quartz.

Optical effects: Inclusion Sparkle

Detailed Gemology

Mineral species: Quartz trade variety

Mineral group: Quartz group

Chemical formula: Silicon dioxide (SiO2), often with iron-oxide or lepidocrocite-type inclusions

Mohs hardness: 7

Crystal system: Trigonal

Lustre: vitreous

Transparency: transparent

Streak: White

Cleavage: None

Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven

Specific gravity: 2.65

Refractive index: 1.544-1.553

Optical phenomena: None typically diagnostic

Colour range: Pink-red to strawberry red

Common inclusions: Species-dependent inclusions and growth features

Geological environment: Species-dependent

Principal mining regions: Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, India

Important commercial sources: Strawberry quartz is a trade descriptor and includes natural included quartz plus treated products in some markets

Historical significance: Recognized in gemological and lapidary trade.

Common treatments: Dyeing, irradiation, and color enhancement can occur.

Synthetic or imitation forms: Imitations may exist depending on species.

Common look-alikes: Species-dependent look-alikes.

Jewellery uses: Used in faceted gems, beads, and decorative jewelry.

Care recommendations: Quartz is durable; avoid severe impacts and disclose treatment if known.

Cross-check profile data with GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat entry for Strawberry Quartz.

Formation

Quartz growth captures iron-rich inclusions or develops color centers; some trade products are enhanced.

Origin

Strawberry quartz is a trade descriptor and includes natural included quartz plus treated products in some markets

Uses

Best for: Used in faceted gems, beads, and decorative jewelry.

Ideal uses: Color-focused quartz jewelry and collector inclusions.

Care

Quartz is durable; avoid severe impacts and disclose treatment if known.

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