Strawberry Quartz

What is strawberry quartz?

Strawberry quartz is clear or pale quartz that contains countless tiny inclusions of iron minerals, most often reddish flakes and needles of lepidocrocite or hematite. Scattered through the stone, they create its speckled, seed-like pattern and soft pink-to-red colour, just like the flesh of a strawberry. Because the colour comes from inclusions rather than from the quartz itself, no two pieces look quite alike.

Genuine strawberry quartz is relatively uncommon, and a good deal of what is sold under the name is actually glass or dyed quartz. Glass imitations, often also sold as “cherry quartz”, tend to be an even, bright candy pink, sometimes with swirls or small round bubbles; natural stones are softer in colour, with visible specks when you look closely. None of this makes the glass beads unattractive — it simply helps to know what you are buying. At 7 on the Mohs scale, genuine strawberry quartz is as hard-wearing as any quartz.

Strawberry quartz meaning

In crystal lore, strawberry quartz is a stone for the shy. It is traditionally believed to boost personal charm and warmth, and to give you the courage to actively seek out love rather than waiting for it to find you. Where rose quartz is about opening the heart, strawberry quartz is about stepping forward — accepting the invitation, sending the first message, joining the party.

It is linked with the heart chakra and associated with joy, playfulness and a light-hearted approach to romance. In Chinese it is 草莓晶 (cǎo méi jīng), “strawberry crystal”, and in Chinese crystal circles it is a favourite stone for 桃花运 (táo huā yùn), “peach-blossom luck”, the traditional term for romantic opportunity. As with every crystal, it is best seen as encouragement rather than a promise.

How to wear strawberry quartz

Wear strawberry quartz on your left hand. In crystal practice the left is the receiving side, so a strawberry quartz bracelet on the left wrist is said to draw love and warm attention towards you. It is a cheerful everyday piece, and its speckled pink looks especially pretty with white clothes and 925 sterling silver. See which wrist to wear a crystal bracelet for more on left and right.

Strawberry quartz pairs naturally with rose quartz, combining self-love with the confidence to go looking for love; with morganite for balance; and with clear quartz to add clarity about what you want. A pink-and-clear bracelet is a soft, flattering combination.

Strawberry quartz in feng shui

In feng shui, the south-west of the home or bedroom is the area associated with love and relationships, and pink crystals placed there are traditionally believed to support romance. A strawberry quartz tumble, heart or small sphere on a bedside table or in the south-west corner is a gentle way to express the wish for love, and pairs of stones are often used to symbolise partnership. In a compact Singapore bedroom, a single small piece on the bedside table is quite enough.

It also makes a charming gift for a friend who is newly single or ready to start dating again — lighter and more playful than a traditional love stone. For more ideas, see our guide to meaningful crystal gifts.

Caring for strawberry quartz

At 7 on the Mohs scale, strawberry quartz is hard enough for daily wear, though it can chip if knocked against a hard surface.

• Keep it out of long, hot sun, which is hard on bracelet elastic.
• Clean gently with a soft, damp cloth and dry it well; keep perfume and lotion off the beads.
• Store it separately from harder gems and metal pieces to keep its polish.

Take bracelets off to swim or shower, and restring when the elastic slackens in Singapore’s humidity. If you own a glass look-alike, care for it the same way; glass is softer than quartz, at around 5.5 on the Mohs scale, so it scratches more easily. For energetic cleansing, see how to cleanse crystals.