Appearance
A unique variant of the mineral quartz known for its alluring smoky-gray to brown coloring is called smoky quartz. The color of this gemstone is what gives it its name—it looks like smoke-infused crystal.
Geographical Distribution
Smoky quartz has been mined for its beauty and metaphysical properties and may be found in many different parts of the world. Several prominent origins of smoky quartz may be found in Africa, Russia, Pakistan, India, Madagascar, Brazil, Colorado, USA, and Scotland.
History
In the 12th century, smoky quartz flat panes were used as sunglasses in China. Smoky quartz was not significant historically and is a common stone.
Chemical Composition
Smoky quartz is mainly made of silicon dioxide (SiO2), the same basic components as other types of quartz, but because of its production process and inclusions of minerals, it has a distinctive look.
Types
The opaque variant Morion is very dark brown to black. Smoky quartz is also known as monirion in German, Danish, Spanish, and Polish. The word derives from Pliny the Elder’s misinterpretation of mormorion.
A type of smokey quartz known as cairngorm can be found in Scotland’s Cairngorm Mountains. Some specimens are grayish-brown in appearance, but it often has a smoky yellow-brown hue. It is a decorative element seen in Scottish jewelry, kilt pins, and sgian-dubh (anglicized as sgian-dubhs or skean dhu) handles. Braemar Castle is home to a specimen weighing 23.6 kg (52 lb), which is the largest known cairngorm crystal.
Uses
Although it was not particularly significant historically, smoky quartz has gained popularity recently, particularly for jewelry.
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