mineral
Smoky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brown to black color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brown to black color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks through natural irradiation of quartz containing trace aluminum impurities.
Uses & applications
Used widely in gemstone jewelry, ornamental carvings, and historical talismans.
Geological facts
The dark coloration results from gamma radiation acting on aluminum-doped quartz lattice structures over millions of years.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its translucent brown to near-black color and high scratch resistance, commonly sourced from Brazil, Madagascar, and the US.
