If you’ve ever seen a pale pink stone in a collection of crystals before, there’s a good chance that you were looking at rose quartz. There are several types of quartz, and rose quartz is just one of them. The stone is usually light pink in color and relatively translucent in nature. Those who work in the gemstone industry sometimes refer to this crystal as hyaline quartz as well.

This stone can be found in a wide array of places around the world, including Brazil, South Africa, and India. It’s also considered to be hardy and durable, making it a favorite among jewelry creators. Because it’s a fairly common stone, it can usually be purchased at a reasonable price. However, there are fake rose quartz crystals on the market, so it helps to know what you’re looking for while shopping.

When examining this stone, hold it up to a light — while translucent, authentic pieces of rose quartz should not be transparent. It should also not have any bubbles, which may be indicative of a fake, forged out of glass. Genuine rose quartz also has the ability to easily scratch materials, such as steel, because of its hardiness. Don’t hesitate to ask your crystal vendor for information about the rose quartz you’re interested in buying. They should be willing to answer questions about its origin and history before you hand over your cash.