mineral
Smoky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brownish-grey to dark brown color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brownish-grey to dark brown color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and igneous rock cavities through natural irradiation of crystalline quartz over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry, ornamental carvings, lapidary arts, and as a popular specimen for mineral collectors.
Geological facts
The dark coloration results from free silicon formed when natural radiation alters the crystal lattice. It is the national gemstone of Scotland.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic greyish-brown translucent appearance and inability to be scratched by a steel nail. Found worldwide, with notable deposits in Brazil, Madagascar, and the Swiss Alps.
