mineral
Smoky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brown to black color, vitreous luster, and hexagonal crystal system with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, brown to black color, vitreous luster, and hexagonal crystal system with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the irradiation of surrounding natural rock crystals over millions of years, typically in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and as a collectible gemstone.
Geological facts
The dark coloration is caused by natural gamma radiation activating aluminum impurities within the silicon dioxide lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive brown-to-black translucent appearance; found globally with notable deposits in Brazil, Switzerland, and the United States.
