Smoky Quartz

Smoky quartz is the brown to grey variety of quartz, and it has a proud place in Scottish dress and history. Its colour ranges from pale champagne through deep brown to nearly black.

What it is

Smoky quartz is silicon dioxide with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Its colour is caused by natural irradiation of the crystal, which affects traces of aluminium in the structure, so that the crystal takes on a smoky hue. Most of the very dark stones on the market today have also been artificially irradiated, a treatment that speeds up what nature does slowly. Heating can lighten smoky quartz, and some stones turn yellow or greenish-yellow when heated.

It is found in many parts of the world, including Brazil, Switzerland, Madagascar, the United States (notably Colorado), and in the Cairngorm mountains in Scotland. The dark-brown variety, called morion, is nearly black.

History and culture

In Scotland, smoky quartz is known as cairngorm, after the mountains where it was found, and it has long been set in traditional Highland dress. It decorates kilt pins, brooches and the tops of the sgian-dubh, the small knife worn in the sock. In the nineteenth century, Queen Victoria’s love of Highland fashion helped increase demand for cairngorm jewellery, and Scottish jewellers made a fashion of it. Smoky quartz is regarded as the national gem of Scotland.

In the Alps, smoky quartz crystals were collected by crystal hunters, known as strahlers, who climbed high into the mountains to find pockets of crystals. Some very large crystals from Switzerland are in museum collections. Smoky quartz appears in a number of European cultures as a dark, practical stone for jewellery, and it was used for mourning jewellery in the Victorian era.

What crystal traditions associate with it

In many crystal traditions, smoky quartz is associated with grounding, release and a sense of letting go, and with the root chakra. It is often paired with Capricorn and Scorpio in zodiac lists, though sources vary. The idea of a stone that absorbs heavy feelings is a modern crystal idea with no scientific basis, and is best understood as a personal symbol.

How people use it

Smoky quartz is worn as pendants, rings, beads and pins. People keep a point or a tumbled stone on a desk, in a pocket or by a chair where they sit to think. In Scotland, it is worn with traditional dress. Its neutral colour makes it a good choice for jewellery that goes with many outfits.

Care and safety

• Smoky quartz is durable and stable in water, and can be cleaned with lukewarm water and mild soap.
• Its colour can fade in strong sun and with heat, so keep pieces away from windowsills and radiators.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes.
• Points can be sharp. Do not swallow stones or place them in drinks.

Irradiated and imitation stones

Deep, uniform brown-black stones are often artificially irradiated. The process is regulated for commercial gems in many countries, and stones are held until their radioactivity has decayed to safe levels before sale, but you should buy from sellers who are open about treatment. Some smoky quartz is also glass or dyed quartz.

Sourcing

Brazil and Madagascar provide much of the commercial supply, sometimes from small-scale mining with variable conditions. Ask about origin if it matters to you.

A note on health. Crystals are valued for beauty, meaning and ritual. There is no scientific evidence that they treat health conditions. If you are struggling with your health or mood, please speak to a doctor.

Frequently asked questions