Smoky Quartz
Quartz darkened by aluminium and a little natural radiation.
- Family
- Quartz
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs
- 7
- System
- Trigonal
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Science
Smoky quartz gets its colour when aluminium substituting for silicon is exposed to natural radiation from surrounding granite. The shade runs from pale tan to nearly black morion. Because the process is so simple, much of the very dark smoky quartz on the market has been irradiated artificially.
- Mineral
- Quartz (variety)
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Specific gravity
- 2.65
- Refractive index
- 1.544 to 1.553
- Lustre
- Vitreous
- Colours
- Brown, Grey, Black
Composition
SiO₂. Made of Silicon, Oxygen, with trace Aluminium responsible for colour.
Origin
- Brazil
- ScotlandCairngorm Mountains
- SwitzerlandAlpine clefts
- United StatesColorado, New Hampshire
- Madagascar
- Australia
Filled dots are primary sources
Rarity
Common worldwide. Gem-clear Alpine crystals with sharp terminations are the collectable grade.
- 1 Abundant
- 2 Common
- 3 Uncommon
- 4 Rare
- 5 Exceptional
Hardness
Smoky Quartz sits at 7 on the Mohs scale. It will scratch glass and holds a polish in daily wear.
Energy
Associations from crystal-healing tradition, recorded here as folklore. They are not medical claims.
Chakras
- Root
Element
- Earth
Zodiac
- Capricorn
- Scorpio
- Sagittarius
Planets
- Saturn
Properties
- Grounding
- Release
- Protection
- Stress relief
- Practicality
Lore
It is the national gem of Scotland. Highlanders set cairngorm in brooches and the pommels of dirks, and it remains the traditional stone of the kilt pin.
In the 12th century Chinese artisans made the first sunglasses from flat panes of smoky quartz, worn by judges to hide their expressions in court.
- State gemNew Hampshire adopted smoky quartz in 1985.
- MorionThe nearly opaque black variety, common in irradiated granite pegmatites.