Materials · common
Cherry Quartz
Cherry Quartz is a trade label for pink to red manufactured glass, often sold as beads, cabochons, or decorative stones.
Also known as: Cherry Quartz Glass, Synthetic Cherry Quartz, red glass, pink glass.
Cherry Quartz properties at a glance
| Type | Materials |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | Colored silica glass |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5 |
| Crystal system | amorphous |
| Luster | vitreous |
| Streak | White to colorless |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Specific gravity | 2.5 |
| Transparency | translucent |
| Common colors | Pink, Red, Cherry, Colorless |
| Rarity | common |
Geology & background
Made as colored glass with pink to red internal swirls or suspended color patches.
Cherry Quartz is a modern trade name in the bead and decorative stone market.
How to identify Cherry Quartz
- Look for glassy transparency with suspended pink or red color swirls.
- Check for bubbles, mold marks, or overly uniform glass texture.
- Do not treat the retail label as natural quartz unless a reliable seller or lab report supports it.
Full Cherry Quartz identification guide: checklist, home tests and look-alikes →
Cherry Quartz vs similar stones
Not sure it isn't something else? Side-by-side comparisons with the stones most often confused with Cherry Quartz.
Where Cherry Quartz is found
Cherry Quartz is a retail or manufactured material label; record seller disclosure and provenance when known.
How much is Cherry Quartz worth?
| Entry-level specimen | $3 |
|---|---|
| Typical collector specimen | $15 |
| Premium specimen | $70+ |
Value is usually decorative or lapidary-market value, not natural rarity. Price depends on size, polish, color effect, condition, seller disclosure, and craftsmanship.
Common uses
- Beads
- Costume jewelry
- Cabochons
- Decorative objects
Interesting facts
- Despite the name, most cherry quartz in retail is glass rather than quartz.
- Internal pink or red swirls can look suspended in clear glass.
- It is commonly used for costume jewelry and decorative objects.
Care & safety
Cherry Quartz may be glass, coated, dyed, or otherwise manufactured; handle it as a decorative material unless verified otherwise.
Avoid inhaling dust. Do not cut, grind, or polish unknown specimens without eye protection and a properly rated respirator.
Cherry Quartz FAQ
What is Cherry Quartz?
Cherry Quartz is a trade label for pink to red manufactured glass, often sold as beads, cabochons, or decorative stones.
How much is Cherry Quartz worth?
Entry-level Cherry Quartz specimens sell for around $3, a typical collector specimen for about $15, and premium pieces for $70 or more. Value is usually decorative or lapidary-market value, not natural rarity. Price depends on size, polish, color effect, condition, seller disclosure, and craftsmanship.
How hard is Cherry Quartz?
Cherry Quartz has a Mohs hardness of 5.5. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
What is Cherry Quartz used for?
Cherry Quartz is used for beads, costume jewelry, cabochons, and decorative objects.
