Natural Smoky Quartz: Complete Guide for Trade, Jewelry, and Collections
This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about natural rubies, for trade partners, jewelers, and collectors alike.
Overview
Natural Smoky Quartz is a variety of quartz characterized by its unique smoky coloration, which results from natural radiation exposure. With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, Smoky Quartz is durable and versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of jewelry applications, from elegant pendants to statement rings. Its warm, neutral tones appeal to a variety of tastes and styles, establishing Smoky Quartz as a popular choice in both fashion and fine jewelry markets. Understanding its properties, sources, and market dynamics is crucial for anyone involved in its trade or collection.
Physical Properties and Specifications
Chemical Composition: SiO₂ (silicon dioxide)
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Refractive Index: 1.544 - 1.553
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Pleochroism: Absent
Fluorescence: Generally inert
Cleavage/Fracture: Conchoidal fracture
Color and Quality Classifications
Available Color Ranges
Primary hues: Brown, gray
Secondary modifications: Dark brown, light gray, and transparent
Tone and saturation ranges: Light to dark tones with varying saturation
Premium colors: Deep, rich brown with clarity
Commercial grades: Lighter shades and less saturated colors
Clarity Characteristics
Typical inclusion types: Liquid inclusions, gas bubbles, and color zoning
Clarity grading standards: Eye-clean to included
Source-specific features: Unique inclusions that may indicate origin
Eye-clean criteria: No visible inclusions to the naked eye
Source Locations and Material
Historic sources
Switzerland, Scotland, and Brazil
Current production
Significant production is currently from Brazil, Madagascar, and the USA.
Source-specific characteristics
Each location imparts distinct characteristics in color and clarity.
Production trends
Increasing demand for Smoky Quartz has led to stable prices, especially for high-quality specimens.