History and belief
In modern crystal tradition rose quartz is the stone of the heart. It is given to new lovers, to new mothers and to friends who need comfort.
Many use it to practise being as kind to themselves as they are to others. It belongs in a room meant for rest, or in your hand when you need to be met with gentleness.
What many people say
Many say they hold a rose quartz when they feel sad or unsure. Holding something smooth and warm while reminding yourself to be kind can be calming in itself.
What the stone really is
Rose quartz is quartz with a hardness of 7. It almost never forms crystals with faces, and occurs as massive lumps instead. Its pink colour comes from microscopic fibres of a mineral similar to dumortierite.
Some rose quartz can fade in light over time. Cut the right way, it can show a six-rayed star. The finest rough comes from Brazil, and it is also found in Madagascar, India and Sri Lanka.
Research has not found that crystals work beyond the placebo effect. Read about crystals and research