2.3" Smoky Quartz Crystal - Tibet

This is a natural smoky quartz crystal from the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet. This type of smoky quartz is commonly referred to as "Tibetan Smoky Quartz". Some crystals from this location have black inclusions, while others have smoky coloration due to natural irradiation. These crystals will often have enhydro (water bubbles) inclusions which are best found using good lighting and rotating the crystal, watching for any bubble or inclusion movement within the crystal.

About Smoky Quartz

Smoky quartz is a variety of quartz distinguished by its smoky gray to deep brown or nearly black coloration, a name inspired by the hazy, smoke-like appearance within the crystal. While some specimens can appear very dark or even opaque, most smoky quartz remains at least partially translucent, allowing light to pass through its internal veils and zoning. The color develops when trace amounts of aluminum within the quartz lattice are exposed to natural irradiation over geologic time, subtly altering the crystal structure and producing its characteristic smoky tones.

About Quartz

Quartz is the name given to silicon dioxide (SiO2) and is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust. Quartz crystals generally grow in silica-rich environments--usually igneous rocks or hydrothermal environments like geothermal waters--at temperatures between 100°C and 450°C, and usually under very high pressure. In either case, crystals will precipitate as temperatures cool, just as ice gradually forms when water freezes. Quartz veins are formed when open fissures are filled with hot water during the closing stages of mountain formation: these veins can be hundreds of millions of years old.


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DETAILS
SPECIES
Quartz var. Smoky
LOCATION
Himalayan Mountains, Tibet
SIZE
2.3" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#104411