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Smoky Quartz Properties, Facts and Photos

smoky quartz mineral speckled with garnet

What is Smoky Quartz?

Smoky quartz is one of only a few black or brown coloured crystals from which gemstones are cut. Others include black beryl which is relatively rare and black and brown corundum.

Although sometimes spelt 'smokey' quartz the correct spelling is 'smoky' when used in relation to this mineral. 

The colour of smoky quartz can be light brown to yellowish brown to a shade of brown that's so dark it almost looks black.  It can can even have a slightly greyish colour.  The really dark coloured crystals are known as morion.

The name Morion seems to have originated from the works of the ancient Roman author, naturalist and natural philosopher Pliny the Elder.  In the chapter on minerals in his encyclopaedia Naturalis Historia he refers to mormorion as being a very dark translucent stone from India.  It's reported 'morion' was a misreading of this name. 

The colour of smoky quartz is caused when natural radiation from surrounding rock interacts with impurities of aluminium.  Crystals can be transparent to translucent or look almost opaque in very dark varieties.

Smoky quartz is well known for its large well-formed crystals with few inclusions.
smoky quartz crystalWith smoky quartz being so widely available it tends not to be particularly expensive.

The variety known as cairngorm is mined on Cairn Gorm.  This mountain is located in the eastern Highlands of Scotland.  Crystals from Cairn Gorm have a smokey-yellowish brown colour but can also be greyish-brown.

When used for its healing properties smoky quartz repels negative energy.  It's particularly effective for dealing with anger and resentment.

It can help ease panic attacks, anxiety and nightmares and brings deep emotional calmness.

Smoky quartz crystals can be found in several countries around the world. These include Australia, Brazil, India, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Russia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania, Ukraine, Switzerland and USA.

The smoky quartz with garnet in our picture is courtesy of Stan Celestian.  The photo is clickable and redirects to the original image. 

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