mineral
Smoky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brown to grey or black coloration, vitreous luster, and trigonal crystal system with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brown to grey or black coloration, vitreous luster, and trigonal crystal system with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and pegmatitic environments through natural irradiation of crystalline quartz over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, decorative carvings, and optical components due to its piezoelectric properties.
Geological facts
The dark color is caused by free silicon formed from surrounding silicon dioxide when exposed to natural radiation from radioactive rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic brown hue, vitreous luster, and inability to be scratched by steel; found globally in pegmatites and granitic rocks.
