mineral

Tumbled brown quartz (likely smoky quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂); brown coloration may be smoky quartz or iron-stained quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; translucent brown to gray-brown, vitreous to slightly waxy luster, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage, trigonal crystal structure. The piece appears naturally fractured or roughly tumbled and coated with surface dust or alteration residue.

Identified September 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, pegmatites, and igneous veins; smoky coloration commonly results from irradiation-related defects with trace aluminum. Its exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used for ornamental carving, lapidary work, jewelry, and mineral collecting; quartz is also important industrially in glass, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is the reference mineral for hardness 7 on the Mohs scale.

Field identification & locations

Check for glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, lack of cleavage, and resistance to scratching by a steel blade; a streak test should be white. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and the Alps.