mineral

Smoky Quartz with Iron Inclusions

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Ranges from translucent white to smoky grey and yellowish-brown (due to iron oxidation); Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous or metamorphic environments through the cooling of silica-rich magma or hydrothermal veins. The smoky or brownish tint often occurs due to natural irradiation or chemical impurities like iron or aluminum over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry as a semi-precious gemstone, in decorative carvings, as 'healing crystals' in metaphysical practices, and historically for optical instruments like primitive sunglasses.

Geological facts

Smoky quartz is the national gem of Scotland, where it is known as 'Cairngorm.' The dark color is often achieved by natural radiation from surrounding granite minerals impacting the crystal lattice of the quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), its glassy appearance, and the lack of cleavage planes. Commonly found in granite pegmatites and mountain ranges worldwide, particularly in Brazil, Madagascar, and the Swiss Alps.

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