Pink & Rose Crystals

What Makes Minerals Pink & Rose?

Pink is a diluted red in most minerals - lower concentrations of the same chromophores that produce red. In rose quartz, the pink comes from microscopic dumortierite fibers. Manganese produces pink in rhodonite, rhodochrosite, kunzite, and morganite. Rubellite (pink tourmaline) gets its color from manganese or sometimes from lithium-related color centers. Pink is relatively rare in gem-quality minerals, which is why pink sapphires, pink diamonds, and fine morganite command significant premiums.