mineral
Smoky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 7, brownish-gray to black color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Smoky Quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 7, brownish-gray to black color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal environments when natural radiation from surrounding radioactive rocks alters colorless quartz over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry, decorative carvings, and metaphysical practices, as well as industrial applications requiring piezoelectric properties.
Geological facts
The dark coloration is caused by gamma radiation acting on aluminum impurities substituting for silicon within the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct brownish color and hardness of 7. Frequently found in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins worldwide.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous