Smokey Quartz
Geology/History
Smokey quartz is a translucent grey quartz variety. Ranging in clarity from almost complete
transparency to a brownish-gray almost opaque crystal. Some specimens can also be black.
Like other quartz gems, it is a silicon dioxide crystal. The smokey colour results from free
silicon, formed from the silicon dioxide through natural irradiation. Black varieties are called
Morion. The Smoky quartz colour is sometimes deepened by man with radiation. This often
turns the crystal quite black. Smokey is often given the trade names or misnomers of "Smoky
Citrine" or "Smoky Topaz."
Metaphysical Meaning
The stone of serenity, comforting & calming. Smokey quartz is a very protective &
grounding stone which strengthens links between the physical & higher selves helping to
uncover ancient wisdom. An excellent shielding stone bringing physical & psychic
protection. Enables you to reach higher states of consciousness & stimulates Kundalini life
force energy. Enhances survival instincts & helps manifest goals. This stone brings peace,
abundance, prosperity & good luck.
Excellent for increasing positivity, overcoming negative emotions & relieving depression.
Smoky quartz relieves stress, fear, jealousy, anger & all negative emotions by transforming
them into positive energies. Enhances courage & inner strength.
Crystal Healing
Assists with kidneys, abdomen, pancreas, reproductive organs, menstrual cramps, fertility
issues & removes toxins from the body. Helps the endocrine systems. Relieves fluid
retention & swelling. Addresses insomnia, nightmares, hyperactivity & attention deficit
disorder. Resonates with the root chakra
Minerology
Group: Quartz, Silicate-Tectosilicate
Crystal System: Trigonal
Composition: SiO2
Form/Habit: Prismatic
Hardness: 7
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal
Lustre: Vitreous
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Transparency: Transparent, translucent, opaque
R.I: 1.544 to 1.553
Colour: Colourless, Brown, grey, black.
Birefringence: 0.009
Pleochroism: Dichroic
Causes of Colour: colour center related to the Al3+ impunity & irradiation.
Fluorescence: None
Quartz (named after a Slavic word for "hard") is the most common mineral found on the surface of the Earth & the second
most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4
silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2. A
significant component of many igneous, metamorphic & sedimentary rocks. This natural form of silicon dioxide is found in
an impressive range of varieties & colours.