# Smoky Quartz

Smoky quartz is a dark, mysterious crystal that sparkles like the stars! It is thought to bring protection and strength.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Also known as:** Cairngorm, Smoky Topaz

![Smoky Quartz](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426514/objects/5380.jpg)

## Appearance

The Smoky Quartz is a captivating mineral that ranges in color from light smoky brown to deep, mysterious black. Its transparent to translucent crystals often form beautiful prisms, making it look like cloudy glass. Unlike clear quartz, it has a signature smoky hue from natural radiation.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Enormous Smoky Quartz crystals weighing hundreds of pounds have been found!
- Smoky Quartz is the official state mineral of New Hampshire, USA!
- Sometimes you find "phantom" crystals inside Smoky Quartz, like a ghost!
- The darkest Smoky Quartz is called Morion. It looks almost completely black!

## Special abilities

- **Earth's Clock Power:** Smoky Quartz has piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate electricity when squeezed, which helps precise clocks keep time!
- **Scratch Shield:** Smoky Quartz has a high hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, making it super durable and resistant to scratches.
- **Nature's Color Changer:** Smoky Quartz's unique smoky color is naturally formed when clear quartz is exposed to tiny amounts of radiation.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** smoky brown, gray, black
- **Hardness:** 7
- **Luster:** vitreous
- **Specific Gravity:** 2.65
- **Crystal System:** hexagonal

## Traits

- [Vitreous Luster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/vitreous-luster): Vitreous luster describes a mineral's appearance when reflecting light, resembling glass, often translucent or transparent.
- [Geode](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/geode): A geode is a hollow, spherical rock formation lined with inward-growing crystals or concentric banding, often found in volcanic or sedimentary rocks.
- [Gemstone](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gemstone): A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut and polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
- [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)
- [Minerals & Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals-and-rocks)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Handle gently and avoid sharp edges. Ask an adult before picking anything up.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Smoky Quartz?

Compare crystal faces, growth shape, clarity and how the crystals cluster. A polished or tumbled stone has lost much of the natural shape that makes identification easier. Crystal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Smoky Quartz be?

smoky brown, gray, black

### How hard is Smoky Quartz?

7

### What kind of luster does Smoky Quartz have?

vitreous

### What is Smoky Quartz's specific gravity?

2.65

### What crystal system does Smoky Quartz belong to?

hexagonal

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Smoky Quartz: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/smoky-quartz)