mineral

Smoky quartz crystal point

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), colored smoky by irradiation-related defects

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent smoky brown to gray, with a vitreous luster and likely hexagonal crystal structure. Quartz has indistinct cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity around 2.65; this appears cut and polished into a six-sided point.

Identified September 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in silica-rich hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and cavities in igneous rocks; smoky coloration develops from natural irradiation of aluminum-bearing quartz. Individual crystals may range from recent growth to hundreds of millions of years old, depending on the host rock.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative crystal, display specimen, and occasionally in jewelry; quartz is also important industrially in glass, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone.

Geological facts

Smoky quartz is the brown variety of quartz, while very dark material is sometimes called morion. Its pointed shape is human-faceted rather than a reliable indicator of natural crystal faces.

Field identification & locations

Identify by glassy luster, high hardness, six-sided geometry, and lack of cleavage; it should scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel knife. Common sources include Brazil, Switzerland, Madagascar, the United States, and Scotland.