Pink and Magenta Glass (Faceted Beads)
Man-made Amorphous Silicate Glass · Decorative Glass / Costume Jewelry Component
Crystal System
Amorphous (None); fashioned into bicone faceted beads
Mineral Group
Non-mineraloid (Synthetic/Man-made Silicate)
Chemical Formula
SiO2 with various additives (Na2O, CaO) and colorants (Se, Mn, or Gold salts)
Formation Process
Industrial melting and cooling of silica sand with fluxes and stabilizers, followed by mechanical faceting or molding
About This Crystal
Highly transparent, faceted bicone beads in two distinct shades: pale rose pink and deep magenta. They exhibit a vitreous luster and lack natural inclusions, appearing perfectly clear under the surface.
Physical Characteristics
Color: Pink and Magenta; Streak: White; Cleavage: None; Fracture: Conchoidal; Specific Gravity: 2.4-2.8; Fluorescence: Variable depending on dopants; Tenacity: Brittle.
Optical Properties
Refractive Index: 1.45–1.70; Isotropic (Single Refraction); No pleochroism; Moderate dispersion (fire) depending on lead content.
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Mass-produced globally, particularly in China, Czech Republic (Preciosa), and Austria (Swarovski)
Hardness & Durability
Mohs Hardness: 5.0–6.0; Toughness: Poor to fair; Stability: Sensitive to thermal shock and strong acids; prone to scratching by household dust (quartz).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth; avoid ultrasonic cleaners which may shatter glass; store separately to prevent scratching from harder gemstones like quartz or sapphire.
Rarity & Value
Common/Mass-produced; Value is nominal (pennies per bead); Price remains low regardless of origin unless branded (e.g., Swarovski).
Special Characteristics
Features machine-cut facets to mimic the brilliance of gemstones; may show 'straw marks' or tiny air bubbles under magnification (standard for glass).
Lore & History
Glassmaking dates back to 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia. While glass lacks the mineralogical properties of natural crystals, pink hues are traditionally associated with the Heart Chakra and emotional warmth in modern color therapy.