SiO₂
Smoky quartz
Aluminium in the lattice, nudged by natural radiation, turns clear quartz the colour of peat smoke.
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Colour
- black
- Element
- earth
- Chakra (tradition)
- root
- Zodiac
- Capricorn, Scorpio
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Brazil, Switzerland, Scotland
What it actually is
Smoky quartz is SiO₂ before it is a story. The lattice is trigonal, Mohs 7, and the eye meets black.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Brazil, Switzerland, Scotland. Aluminium in the lattice, nudged by natural radiation, turns clear quartz the colour of peat smoke.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Smoky quartz to earth and to the root centre. The old site stood it near: Capricorn, Scorpio.
How not to turn it to ash
Quartz will take lukewarm water and a cloth. Long sun fades amethyst and rose quartz. Perfume is a worse neighbour than dust.