mineral

Smoky quartz (probable)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), brown smoky variety

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; translucent gray-brown color, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage, and hexagonal crystal structure. The specimen appears rough and partly weathered, so identification is provisional from the image.

Identified September 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Smoky quartz forms in silica-rich igneous and hydrothermal environments, commonly in granite pegmatites and mineral veins; its color results from radiation-related defects and trace aluminum. Crystals range from ancient Precambrian occurrences to younger geologic deposits.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental and lapidary material, in jewelry, and as a collector mineral; quartz also has major industrial uses in glass, electronics, and abrasives.

Geological facts

It can fade with prolonged heating or strong sunlight, while natural smoky coloration is typically stable under ordinary conditions.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch steel or ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Common sources include Brazil, Switzerland, Madagascar, the United States, and Scotland.