mineral

Rough smoky quartz

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), likely iron- or radiation-colored smoky variety

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically gray-brown to brown, translucent, and vitreous with conchoidal fracture; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears granular and weathered, with quartz-like sparkle.

Identified August 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in silica-rich hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and cavities in igneous rocks; coloration develops from aluminum impurities exposed to natural radiation. Its precise geological age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used as a collector mineral and occasionally as a gemstone after cutting; quartz is extensively used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and construction aggregate.

Geological facts

Smoky quartz is the brown variety of quartz; very dark material is sometimes called morion. It may fade with strong heating or sunlight depending on its color centers.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Common sources include Brazil, Switzerland, Madagascar, the United States, and Scotland.