mineral

Tumbled smoky quartz

Quartz (SiO₂), likely smoky variety

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent brown to gray-brown with a vitreous polish, no visible cleavage, and hexagonal crystal structure (obscured by tumbling). Specific gravity is about 2.65.

Identified August 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent brown to gray-brown with a vitreous polish, no visible cleavage, and hexagonal crystal structure (obscured by tumbling). Specific gravity is about 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Forms in silica-rich hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and cavities of igneous rocks; smoky coloration commonly results from natural irradiation affecting aluminum impurities. The specimen is human-polished and its precise geological age cannot be determined.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental and lapidary stone, in jewelry, carvings, and mineral collections; common tumbled pieces have modest commercial value.

Geological facts

Smoky quartz ranges from pale gray to nearly black (“morion”); heating can remove the color, while irradiation can produce it in otherwise clear quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy luster, hardness, translucency, conchoidal fracture, and resistance to scratching by steel; unlike brown glass, it feels cool and will scratch ordinary window glass. Common sources include Brazil, Switzerland, Madagascar, and the United States.