If you’ve ever seen Quartz flash with bright pink metallic fire, you’ve probably met Covellite in Quartz, sometimes called Pink Fire Quartz. It’s one of those minerals that look unreal even in person … Like someone trapped tiny neon sunsets inside of clear Quartz.
I’ve handled and collected crystals for over a decade and this material still surprises me every time.
What Exactly is Covellite?
”Pink Fire Quartz” is the trade name. “Covellite in Quartz” is the mineralogical name.
Covellite is a copper sulfide mineral known for its deep blue and iridescent sheens. But when it forms inside quartz, everything changes. Instead of the usual indigo tones, the mineral can shift towards bluish pink, rose gold, purple, coppery flashes, and sometimes in certain angles, electric magenta.
How Covellite in Quartz Forms
Covellite in Quartz is rare because it needs a very specific chain of events to happen underground:
- Quartz starts forming first
Deep in hydrothermal veins, hot silica-rich fluids begin cooling. As they cool, Quartz crystals grow … usually slowly and steadily - Copper-rich fluids enter the pocket
Later, a second wave of fluids flows through the same space. These fluids are high in copper and sulfur, which are building blocks of Covellite (CuS) - Covellite starts crystallizing inside the quartz
instead of growing on the outside, tiny Covellite crystals begin nucleating inside tiny open spaces or micro fractures within the quartz. Because the space is so limited, Covellite grows as ultra thin, plate like sheets. These thin plates are what creat the pink, magenta, or purple “fire” when light hits them. - Pressure + heat seals it in place
as geological conditions shift again, the quartz around the Covellite re-heals and seals shut, permanently trapping the Covellite inside. This is why it looks like metallic flashes suspended in crystal. - The color depends on plate thickness
Light interference on those thin plates creates different colors:
Thinner plate = pink / rose gold
Slightly thicker = magenta
Even thicker + purple or indigo
How can Covellite in Quartz have dual flash/fire?
These Covellite plates aren’t perfectly uniform … some areas are a little thicker or thinner, and they all sit in slightly different angles. Because of the differentiation, light reflect off each part differently. Thinner zones create pink or rose gold fire and the thicker areas shift into purple or indigo. When you rotate the piece, different wavelengths bounce back, creating a beautial dual flash.
Why is Covellite in Quartz So Rare?
Most Covellite doesn’t form in conditions stable enough to be trapped inside quartz. And even when it does, the color isn’t always the striking pink shimmer we love.
High fire, high clarity pieces are extremely limited, making them a collectors favorite. Many cutters won’t even touch the rough because the inclusions are delicate. Spheres, Freeform’s, and polished displays are hard to come by. Most of this material is usually cut into little faceted gems.
Though we were very fortunate to find a large polished display piece last year during the Tucson Gem Show; as pictured here. This piece has found a home. 
Appearance: What to Look For
If you are browsing or collection, here is what sets the special pieces apart:
- High clarity quartz with minimal cracks
- Strong metallic flashes, visible even in soft light
- Layered inclusions that shimmer when rotated
- If it is cut and faceted - make sure it flashes in all angles
- Color, Pink is the most popular but I am keen to purple. Some pieces even have dual flash ! The color shifts from pink to purple!
Some pieces look like tiny galaxies. Others look like metallic petals frozen in glass.
How to Care for Covellite in Quartz
Quartz is durable, but Covellite can be sensitive to: harsh chemicals, long exposure to water, rough impact. A quick wipe with a soft cloth is all it needs.
If you ever come across a piece with really strong fire, grab it ! It’s one of those minerals that is genuinely limited. And if you own one already, you know exactly why collectors go wild for them. They have a glow that will not fade.
