Quartz (smoky), Mica

Minas Gerais, Brazil

8,2×6,5×6 cm. (longest Quartz 3,5 cm.)

Quartz might seem like the easiest mineral to find on the market, and it is, but finding specimens with superior quality characteristics is not easy. Not many words are needed to describe the undeniable elegance of this specimen because the photos and videos speak for themselves. The piece is composed of four smoky Quartz crystals, one of which is extraordinarily towering, completely transparent and lustrous, resting on a matrix of perfectly crystallized Muscovite blades all around. This specimen is the perfect synthesis of beauty and elegance.

Brazil is one of the largest and most significant sources of smoky quartz. The state of Minas Gerais, in particular, is known for producing high-quality smoky quartz crystals. The famous “Morro Velho” mine in Brazil has yielded many exceptional specimens.

Smoky quartz is a captivating variety of the mineral quartz, celebrated for its enchanting smoky-gray to brown coloration, primarily caused by the natural irradiation of aluminum impurities within the crystal lattice. Here are the main factors that contribute to the smoky coloration in quartz :

Natural Radiation: Smoky quartz typically forms in granite and other rocks that contain trace amounts of radioactive elements like uranium and thorium. The natural radiation emitted by these elements over millions of years interacts with the crystal lattice of quartz.

Aluminum Impurities: When quartz crystals contain small amounts of aluminum impurities, these impurities can substitute for silicon in the quartz structure. This substitution creates a defect in the crystal lattice that can trap free electrons.

Irradiation Effects: The free electrons generated by natural radiation become trapped in these defects, creating color centers. These color centers absorb certain wavelengths of light, which results in the smoky appearance of the quartz.

Heat Treatment: The color intensity of smoky quartz can be enhanced or altered by heat treatment. Heating can cause changes in the structure of the color centers, which can either lighten or darken the smoky color.