About Smoky Quartz

A smoky-grey, brown to black variety of quartz that owes its colour to gamma irradiation and the presence of traces of aluminium built into its crystal lattice.
The colour of smoky quartz is sensitive to heat and will pale at temperatures above 200-300°C. This loss of colour can be reverted by gamma irradiation of the crystals.

Smoky quartz can be found in many different environments but is most characteristic for pockets in igneous rocks and pegmatites.

Facts:

• Mohs hardness: 7
• Mineral: Quartz