mineral
Smoky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brown to black color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brown to black color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the irradiation of natural quartz containing trace aluminum impurities.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and as a collector's mineral specimen.
Geological facts
Its distinct coloration is caused by natural gamma radiation from surrounding radioactive rocks exciting aluminum impurities within the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic brown to black smoky transparency and high scratch resistance, commonly found in pegmatites worldwide.
