Strawberry Quartz Gemstone Information

Introduction

Strawberry Quartz is a real gemstone. It seems a strange way to begin an information article but it is important to quickly clear up a few misunderstandings about this lovely little quartz.

There have been instances where reddish colored glass beads have been labeled 'Strawberry Quartz' and this has led many to believe that all Strawberry Quartz is just glass.

At other times, Strawberry Quartz is confused with Rose Quartz but they are two equally beautiful but completely different forms of quartz.

See our detailed article on Rose Quartz here

Strawberry Quartz is one of those rare gemstones in which it is the inclusions (material trapped within a mineral) that define its character and beauty. Hematite, goethite or lepidocrocite flakes inside a clear quartz crystal give this gemstone its unique red coloring and intriguing looks.

From its name, one could assume that this is a red gemstone. You would be right to a degree. The internal flecks of hematite or lepidocrocite can be a classic red color due to their iron content but as small marks within a clear stone the overall effect tends to be closer to pink or orange than a solid red color.

A quick word about quartz.

The quartz family includes such famous names as Amethyst, Citrine, Agate, Jasper and Rose Quartz. You can see by these examples that it is a very varied crystal appearing in a wide range of colors and patterns.

The sands in the desert, the granite, volcanic lava and igneous rocks in the mountains, the cement in our cities even the dust in the air are all largely made of quartz.

But we are more interested in the quartz that can be made into gemstones and they come in two types:

• Macro-crystalline - large easily identified crystals, usually clear with sharp edges and pointy tops.
• Micro-crystalline - tiny densely packed crystals which are usually opaque and in rounded shapes.

Strawberry Quartz is a macro-crystalline quartz which is usually completely transparent with tiny flakes or flecks of iron oxide - usually hematite but sometime lepidocrocite or goethite - which gives this stone its reddish hue.

A very similar gemstone is Rutile Quartz, it has the same clear body but with inclusions of titanium dioxide creating colors such as yellow, red or brown and effects of hair, straw, grass and wood.

See our detailed article on Rutile Quartz here

Strawberry Quartz is a 'sagenitic quartz', a term used by gemologists and geologists when referring to a quartz containing acicular or needlelike inclusions such as rutile, actinolite, tourmaline or, as in the case of Strawberry Quartz, hematite, lepidocrocite or goethite.

Similar quartzes include:

• Rutilated Quartz The most desirable rutilated quartz is one with red or gold needles inside.
• Tourmalinated Quartz This is a transparent quartz with dark colored tourmaline crystals within.
• Sagenite Agate Formed by mixing Chalcedony with various minerals.

Strawberry Quartz is also known by many other names:

• Lepicrosite in Quartz
• Harlequin Quartz
• Hematoid Quartz
• Furruginous Quartz
• Scarlet Quartz
• Red Quartz
• Cherry Quartz
• Fire Quartz

Some of these names sound much more attractive than others so are more likely to be used in a marketing or selling environment while the others would be more at home in a geological format.

Gemstones usually fall into one of three categories of clarity with various degrees of transparency within that category.

• Opaque gemstones do not allow any light to pass through even if you hold it up to a light source.
• Translucent gemstones allow some light to shine through but you cannot clearly see through the gemstone.
• Transparent Gemstones allow light to pass through uninhibited so you can look through them and see objects or read words on the other side.

The better quality Strawberry Quarts will be transparent enough to see the inclusions inside the gemstone. Anything too opaque would mean that the effect of the internal flecks and needles would be lost.

Strawberry Quartz gemstones are usually cut into cabochons - flat bottoms and domed tops - or simply faceted with basic designs in oval and round shapes.

Both these simple cuts allow the inclusions within the gemstone to be easily visible and the subtle colors to come through at their most attractive. These cuts are especially complementary to the warm red and pink tones of Strawberry Quartz and lets us really appreciate the patterns of the hematite or lepidocrocite inside.

Strawberry Quartz gemstone can be found in large, clean examples at affordable wholesale prices ideal for unique jewelry items. And remember with the myriad of tiny flecks and dabs they will be truly one-of-a-kind.

Chakras are the energy centers located at key points around the body. There are seven Chakras, each influencing a physical, emotional or mental state and each has an associated color.

The seven chakras are the Crown linked with the color purple, Third Eye (indigo), Throat (blue), Heart (green), Solar Plexus (yellow), Sacral (orange) and Root (red).

The basic clear quartz that goes into the formation of Strawberry Quartz is a very powerful spiritual influence - on its own known as the 'Master Healer' - which will have an influence on all Chakras. In addition it can magnify any other gemstone it works with.

In this case we have Hematite, which is very much linked with the Root Chakra. If you feel insecure about your home, employment or relationship it could be a sign that this Chakra is blocked and Hematite is the ideal answer. With the amplifying Clear Quartz around it, this is a real boost.

As a red to pink gemstone, Strawberry Quartz is also associated with the Heart Chakra. It will help with health issues around the heart as well as emotional factors such as love, commitment, acceptance and heartache.

See our detailed article on Chakra Gemstones here

Strawberry Quartz is a quite rare gemstone and is possibly the most expensive of the general quartz family. Saying that it is still quite reasonably priced with even the large examples coming in at less than $10 per carat at wholesale price.

See our detailed article on the Best Value Gemstones here

The history and first discovery of Strawberry Quartz is a bit murky. I am sure humans have come across this rare gemstone over the course of history but written descriptions are difficult to find.

In the late 1800s the term Scarlet Quartz was used for a quartz with red hematite inclusions from Cumbria in northern England which very much resembles modern definitions of Strawberry Quartz.

In the 1970s, supplies appeared on the market that were supposedly from a large deposit found in Mexico - the actual source was kept secret - but these supplies quickly sold out and have not been seen since.

The popularity of this pinkish stone then led to a proliferation of colored glass that was labeled 'Strawberry Quartz' and is still sold to this day although not by any reputable gemstone seller.

More recently some fine (and real) Strawberry Quartz has been discovered in Russia and neighboring, Kazakhstan, which has proved to be fine quality and in decent amounts.

The word quartz has its origins in the German Quarz and the Polish term Kwardy, meaning hard while common quartz, has been used either as a tool, for decoration or adornment and for spiritual purposes for thousands of years.

See our article on the Gemstone Names here

Along with the discoveries in Russia and Kazakhstan mentioned earlier more Strawberry Quartz has been found in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Madagascar and the United States.

Quartz is usually found in pegmatite or igneous rocks which are formed by slowly cooling magma. As these rocks cool, cracks and gaps appear and are filled with liquids and gases which over a long period of time crystallize into quartz.

For Strawberry Quartz to be formed we need silicon and oxygen rich water to gather into the cracks. In addition elements of iron oxide or hematite are present and with the right amount of time and pressure a quartz crystal is formed.

The hematite within the crystal will slowly turn red or pink or even orange. The outer quartz is a very durable mineral and weathering will erode away the surrounding rock revealing the quartz and the protected hematite within.

Various colored quartzes can be heat treated to improve their color or to change it completely - a poor colored amethyst can be heated to become a great colored citrine for example.

Some smoky quartz can be irradiated to deepen its color to resemble a valuable morion quartz.

The main selling point of Strawberry Quartz is the red flecks of hematite within the stone - without those it would be just a simple clear quartz.

With a clear quartz containing hematite flecks we have two materials which will react to any heating or irradiation - it may improve one while spoiling the other. Generally Strawberry Quartz is an untreated gemstone other than the cutting and polishing of the rough stone.

If any gemstones sold by GemSelect receive any treatment we will always disclose this information.

All quartz is rated at about 7 on the Mohs hardness scale so Strawberry Quartz is durable enough to be used in any type of jewelry.

See our detailed article on the Mohs hardness scale here

Strawberry Quartz can be obtained in nice large carat sizes making it great for eye-catching pendants, brooches and cocktail rings.

With its unique inclusions, no two Strawberry Quartz gemstones will be identical, meaning it will be ideal for one-off jewelry items or exclusive designs for a special piece.

Closely matched pairs and lots - hand picked for size, shape and color by our in-house experts - are available for earrings or side stones.

Just cleaning any Strawberry Quartz with warm soapy water and gently wiping dry will be enough to keep it looking at its best.

For storage, remember that all Quartz is quite a tough gemstone (rated at over 7 on the Mohs hardness scale) so do not keep it with softer gemstones as it may scratch them.

Similarly a few gemstones such as ruby, sapphire, beryl and so on are a bit harder and may damage your Quartz.

We always suggest putting your gemstones in separate boxes or soft cloth bags when not wearing or displaying them.

Real Strawberry Quartz is a rare type of quartz and a rare gemstone, full stop. While it is not as expensive as a ruby or sapphire it is among the priciest of all quartzes.

Finding some really cheap Strawberry Quartz should immediately sound some alarm bells and you should have suspicions that they are not authentic.

Fake Strawberry Quartz - especially beads - are quite common but are quite easy to spot.

Bright, unnatural looking colors should be the first sign that something is amiss.

If you have the chance, hold the quartz in your hand - it should feel quite substantial whereas the glass version will feel light and flimsy. Real quartz is also a poor conductor of heat so will feel cool in your hand for quite some time while glass will warm up quickly.

Look at the amount of stock that is on sale. Boxes and boxes or heaped piles of beads are a sure indicator of some sort of mass produced merchandise. Real Strawberry Quartz is a unique and rare item and, although they can be found in genuine beads and lots, these will still be in relatively small quantities.

The natural inclusions found in Strawberry Quartz will be irregular, multi colored and unevenly spaced. Perfectly round air bubbles inside the stone are another indication that the gemstone is synthetic glass not the real thing.

Before buying a Strawberry Quartz gemstone, search internet images to familiarize yourself with its appearance so you know what it is roughly supposed to look like.

All quartz is rated at 7 on Mohs hardness scale so it will be tougher than glass. Test a sample by scratching a bottle or a sheet of glass and checking to see if it has left a mark. Alternately, an iron nail or a key should not be strong enough to scratch the surface of any prospective Strawberry Quartz.

See our detailed article on the Mohs hardness scale here

This has not been a complete guide on how to ensure your Strawberry Quartz gemstone is genuine but I hope it helps a little.

Obviously buying your gemstones from a reputable dealer is the best approach but this is not always easy when you are searching the net or scouring the shops for a great gemstone or a real bargain!

We stand by our gemstones as being as we describe them and our return policy means you can feel completely assured when ordering from us.

At GemSelect, we currently offer brief identification reports from your choice of three well-respected independent gemological laboratories, American International GemLab (AIG), ICA GemLab and Burapha Gemological Laboratory.

Real Strawberry Quartz is a wonderful gemstone with a bright cheerful appearance and luscious fruity colors. With its all natural inclusions, this quartz is a unique gemstone with no two stones looking alike.

It is not just a beautiful stone, it is also a very powerful healing crystal with an influential combination of clear quartz - 'the Master Healer' - and hematite - 'the Healing Stone' - with its high iron content.

Good looks, distinctive characteristics and spiritual strength united in a single stone.