Smokey Quartz
$99.95
Item number:
2
Smokey Quartz From Brazil 3.10 CT
Smoky quartz is a macrocrystalline variety of quartz ranging in color from pale grayish-brown to deep, nearly opaque black. Its distinctive tint is caused by natural gamma radiation activating color centers around aluminum impurities within the crystal.
Key Characteristics
- Color: Light smoky gray, yellow-brown, deep brown, or black.
- Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale, making it durable for jewelry.
- Luster & Fracture: Vitreous (glassy) with a conchoidal (shell-like) fracture.
- Varieties: Morion is a very dark, nearly opaque variety, while Cairngorm is a yellowish-brown type historically found in Scotland.
Formation & Geography
The smoky color forms deep beneath the Earth's crust over millions of years. It commonly crystallizes in igneous rocks and pegmatites. Notable deposits are found globally, with significant quantities mined in Brazil, Australia, Madagascar, Scotland, and the United States (such as in Colorado and the Appalachian Mountains).
Uses & Lore
Historically, smoky quartz was used for practical purposes; in 12th-century China, flat plates of the stone were utilized as rudimentary sunglasses to shield the eyes from glare. It is also the national gemstone of Scotland. Today, it is widely used in jewelry (like faceted rings and statement necklaces) and is highly valued in the metaphysical community, where it is associated with grounding, emotional stability, and protection against negative energy.
Care & Treatment
Smoky quartz is generally safe to handle and wear, though its color is susceptible to fading if exposed to prolonged UV light or extreme heat (over 200°C / 392°F). In fact, heat-treated smoky quartz can sometimes turn a yellow-brown hue and be sold commercially as citrine.