Gem Profile- Smoky Quartz

Commonly found in vugs that formed in pegmatite veins, smoky quartz occurs in masses or crystals; the crystals being color zoned that sometimes grade toward amethyst or citrine colors. These crystals can be thin druzy crusts or giants that weigh nearly half a ton! Smoky quartz can also be found near water clear quartz or amethyst as well as inside geodes. The beautiful smoky coloration comes from inclusions of aluminum, calcium, lithium or magnesium. Natural radiation also contributes to the color, meaning that a lot of really "black" stones on the market have actually been cut from smoky quartz that has been artificially irradiated, or "treated."


Irradiated smoky quartz crystal wire wrapped by Susan Mazlum and accented with crystal beads.

In Scotland, smoky quartz of a rich caramel yellowish brown has been used as a gemstone for centuries and carries the special title of "cairngorm." having been found and mined in the Cairngorm Mountains in the Scottish Highlands and it is the national stone of Scotland. Like several other cultures who didn't like carrying coins, early Scots wore jewelry as a form of money. The cairngorm was also used to make Scottish "pebble" jewelry, "a mosaic souvenier jewellery made from precious metal and native stones." Naturally black smoky quartz that is almost opaque can be called "Morion" (which is also the name of a conquistador's helmet, but the two have nothing to do with one another). The dark, lustrous smoky quartz found in Switzerland is known as "Alpine."

In Brazil, smoky quartz has been found mixed with citrine. Which came first? The smoky, that when heated during formation turned yellow, similar to the ametrine we spoke of last week. In some instances, the original smoky crystal is still "smoky" and the quartz that crystallized over it turned yellow, causing a phantom (more on phantom crystals later).


Jackie Morris wire wrapped this smoky quartz stone with sterling silver wire.

Faceted bi-colored, smoky-citrine stones that are waiting for me to do something with them. Notice the unusual smoky striations and fading color in those on the left.

Marketing names for smoky quartz usually come from another name that imitates the color of the stone - for example, whiskey quartz. Natural whiskey quartz resembles the Scottish cairngorm, but most of what is affordable today is heat-treated to a lovely cherry wood color. Another name, root beer quartz, describes smoky quartz that looks like a brown beer bottle. However, "smoky topaz" is not a legal marketing name, as topaz and quartz are two totally different materials, and although it is considered archaic to call smoky quartz topaz, several folks still do. This misconception probably occurred when Scotland became known for its smoky quartz that was found in close proximity with natural topaz. Topaz is more expensive and softer stone, whereas smoky quartz is very affordable, more durable, and beautiful in its own right!


A variety of faceted smoky quartz stones, some bi-color with water quartz. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.

A close-up of the faceted stone in the above photo, showng the detail of the flower intaglio. Private collection, Dale Armstrong

Did you know that fortune tellers often use crystal balls made from smoky quartz? Metaphysically, smoky quartz is supposed to provide grounding for all endeavors and to negate negative energy.