mineral

Tumbled smoky quartz

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), smoky variety

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically translucent gray-brown to nearly black, with vitreous luster and conchoidal fracture; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The rounded shape and polish indicate human tumbling.

Identified September 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Smoky color results from irradiation affecting aluminum impurities in quartz, commonly in granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. Quartz is widespread from Precambrian to modern geological settings; this specimen’s exact locality and age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental and lapidary stone, in jewelry, carvings, and mineral collections; quartz also has major industrial uses in glass, ceramics, electronics, and abrasives.

Geological facts

Smoky quartz can fade with prolonged heating or intense sunlight, while very dark material may be called morion. The image could also represent dark chalcedony or glassy slag, but the appearance is most consistent with polished smoky quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by hardness, glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife; quartz should scratch ordinary glass. Common sources include Brazil, Switzerland, the United States, Madagascar, and Scotland.