The first traces of the use of pink quartz appear in Mesopotamia (Iraq) and date back to – 7000 years.
Pink quartz is present in all civilizations of the world, most often in the form of jewelry and carved figurines. It is also made to make tools: chisels, polishers and arrowheads are found in North America (to Greenland) and South (Mexico, Argentina).
Everywhere, amulets, talismans, lucky charms and even love potions have appealed to the love virtues of pink quartz.
Pink quartz in ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, pink quartz is used in various cosmetics for its soothing and purifying properties. It brightens the complexion, prevents aging and simply embellishes! The fine pink quartz powder is an excellent exfoliation for sun-tanned skin.
Excavations have uncovered beauty masks, in the form of ointment, placed in tombs. Rose quartz powdered, sometimes associated with myrrh, is mixed with a vegetable or animal fat. The ointment thus obtained is preserved in an alabaster or marble pot, closed by a small lid.
It is known today that silicon protects the collagen and elastin fibers of the skin. Nowadays, pink quartz frequently enters the composition of beauty products; they always boast the same benefits: fresh complexion, softness and youthfulness of the skin.Egyptian mythology seems to have dedicated pink quartz to the worship of Isis goddess of divine youth, sister and loving wife of Osiris.
Pink quartz in Greek and Roman civilizations
Other civilizations of antiquity also dedicate pink quartz to the goddess of love. This universal goddess has different names according to her origins: Aphrodite in Greece, Venus in Rome, Astarte in Phenicia, Issar for the Assyrians and Turan for the Etruscans.
Greek mythology often relates the unfortunate story of the lovers Aphrodite and Adonis: a wild boar, sent by the husband jealous Ares, hurts the beautiful Adonis to death. Aphrodite runs to save him, hurts him on a thorny bush, mingling his blood with that of Adonis. The blood of lovers crystallizes and gives birth to pink quartz.
This mythological version does not appear in the only text that relates the adventure: “The metamorphoses” of Ovid. The Latin poet, a specialist in Greek mythology writes: “… from this blood, a flower of the same color as that of the grenadier.” It would be a plant (often identified as a rose or anemone) and not of a mineral. It does not matter, thanks to this mythological history; the pink quartz takes all of its symbolism of love and reconciliation.
Before our era, the Romans already use all kinds of seals. Rose quartz is the stone most commonly used to cut ring-shaped seals known as annulus rings. The Romans master perfectly the technique of the intaglio adopted for the sealing with the wax. The motifs engrave in hollow, the opposite of the cameo whose engraving releases a relief. These rings bear various inscriptions or represent distinctive marks decorated with plants or animals.
In the middle Ages, Roman seals are frequently reused to adorn all kinds of objects: crowns, vases, reliquaries…
Pink quartz in China and Asia
The pink quartz also holds a large place in the art of Eastern civilizations. In China, jade carving has been practiced for 3000 years. Jade, stone of immortality, is associated with nephrite, agate, malachite, turquoise, crystal and rose quartz. The lapidary masters sometimes take years to complete their work! The pink quartz has a particular difficulty: it can only be cut in one direction; awkwardness causes a break that spreads in a milky groove throughout the stone.
The statuettes represent Buddha, the compassionate goddess Guanyin, warriors or all sorts of chimeras. The pink quartz figurines are also inspired by nature: various animals, often birds, peonies…
Pink quartz comes mainly from Hainan Island. The intensive exploitation of the local rocks gave another name to this island, renamed Qiongzhou (Kingdom of the quartz jewel).
Tibetan Buddhism also makes abundant use of pink quartz for Buddha sculptures, and the making of malas (sort of rosaries), bracelets and singing bowls, perfume burners.
In France, from the 17th century, the “chinoiseries” in pink quartz are very popular and populate cabinet’s curiosities castles. Louis XIV became the first collector because the ambassadors of Siam (Thailand) sent by boat, around 1685, a large number of diplomatic gifts. Semi Precious stone is the best option for you.