How to clean it
Warm soapy water. Heat and strong light will fade the smoke.
Pale grey-brown to near black
Smoky Quartz
Properties
Composition
Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) darkened by natural irradiation of aluminium impurities
Hardness (Mohs)
7
Crystal system
Trigonal
Colour
Pale grey-brown to near black
Mined in
Brazil, Switzerland, Scotland, Madagascar
Worth knowing
Its colour comes from natural radiation acting on aluminium traces over geological time — heat it and the smoke disappears.
History
The national gemstone of Scotland, where it is called cairngorm.
Practical
Caring for Smoky Quartz
How to tell it is real
Much commercial smoky quartz is irradiated clear quartz, which is standard practice. Very dark, evenly black material is almost always treated.
One general rule covers most mistakes: never store stones loose together. Diamond at 10 on the Mohs scale scratches everything else you own, and it does not need much contact to do it.
What that hardness means in practice
Matches quartz, so ordinary dust will not scratch it. Fine for rings, though decades of wear will show at the edges.
Traditional associations
Smoky Quartz is traditionally associated with settling anxiety and staying present. In chakra systems it is placed at the Root, and in elemental correspondence it is assigned to Earth.
These are cultural associations recorded across various traditions, not claims about physical effects. The composition and hardness above are measurable; this paragraph is folklore, and worth reading as such.
Questions
What is Smoky Quartz made of?
Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) darkened by natural irradiation of aluminium impurities, crystallising in the trigonal system.
Where does Smoky Quartz come from?
Brazil, Switzerland, Scotland, Madagascar.
How do I clean Smoky Quartz?
Warm soapy water. Heat and strong light will fade the smoke.
How can I tell if Smoky Quartz is real?
Much commercial smoky quartz is irradiated clear quartz, which is standard practice. Very dark, evenly black material is almost always treated.
Can I wear it every day?
At 7 on the Mohs scale, yes — it resists everyday scratching.