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Smoky Quartz
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Sedrun, Tujetsch (Tavetsch), Vorderrhein Valley, Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden), Switzerland
© Anton Watzl Sr.
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| Colour: | gray, brown, black | |||||||
A variety of Quartz
Smoky-gray, brown to black quartz colored by Aluminum-based and irradiation-induced color centers.
The name Morion is used for black smoky quartz.
Dichroism in Smoky Quartz
Smoky quartz is dichroic (from darker yellow-brown to lighter red-brown) when viewed in polarized light. The photo to the left shows the change of color in a smoky quartz crystal that is rotated in front of a LCD display that serves as a source of polarized light.
Black quartz crystals in anhydrite from Camporanda, Tuscany, Italy. These are not smoky quartzNote: Very often black or brown crystals that are colored by inclusions of minerals or organic matter are erroneously called "smoky quartz" or "morion". Typical examples of such misnomers are black quartz crystals embedded in sedimentary rocks, as those found in gypsum, anhydrite and limestone in Italy and Spain.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Smoky Quartz. Currently in public beta-test.
Smoky-gray, brown to black quartz colored by Aluminum-based and irradiation-induced color centers.
The name Morion is used for black smoky quartz.
Dichroism in Smoky Quartz
Smoky quartz is dichroic (from darker yellow-brown to lighter red-brown) when viewed in polarized light. The photo to the left shows the change of color in a smoky quartz crystal that is rotated in front of a LCD display that serves as a source of polarized light.
Black quartz crystals in anhydrite from Camporanda, Tuscany, Italy. These are not smoky quartz
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Smoky Quartz. Currently in public beta-test.
Classification of Smoky Quartz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| mindat.org URL: | http://www.mindat.org/min-3689.html Please feel free to link to this page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Physical Properties of Smoky Quartz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre: | Vitreous | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diaphaneity (Transparency): | Transparent, Translucent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour: | gray, brown, black | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comment: | dichroic: darker yellow-brown to lighter red-brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chemical Properties of Smoky Quartz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Essential elements: | O, Si | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All elements listed in formula: | O, Si | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Names for Smoky Quartz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Health Warning: | Quartz is usually quite harmless unless broken or powdered. Broken crystals and masses may have razor-sharp edges that can easily cut skin and flesh. Handle with care. Do not grind dry since long-term exposure to finely ground powder may lead to silicosis. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References for Smoky Quartz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reference List: - + | Marshall, Royal R. (1955): Absorption spectra of smoky quartz from an Arkansas vein deposit and from a Sierran miarolitic granite. Am. Min.: 40: 535-537. Chudoba, K. F. (1962): Some relations between the causes of amethyst, smoky quartz, and citrine colors as given by modern science. Mineralogicheskii Sbornik (Lvov), (16), 91-105. Cohen, Alvin J. (1989): New data on the cause of smoky and amethystine color in quartz. Mineralogical Record 20, 365-367. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Internet Links for Smoky Quartz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Specimens: | The following Smoky Quartz specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Localities for Smoky Quartz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the
 symbol to view information about a locality.
The symbol next to localities in the list
can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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