Description
Smoky Quartz Crystals from Morocco – Natural Mineral Specimens
This listing features beautifully formed Smoky Quartz Crystals from Morocco, chosen for their colour, structure, and natural geological character. The photographs show the exact crystal specimen you will receive, alongside a 1cm scale cube for accurate sizing. Every crystal we offer is a 100% genuine natural specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. These Moroccan Smoky Quartz examples are ideal for collectors, crystal enthusiasts, educators, and anyone who appreciates natural mineral beauty.
Crystal Type: Smoky Quartz – A Silicate Mineral of the Quartz Family
Smoky Quartz is a brown to black variety of macrocrystalline quartz, belonging to the silicate group and crystallising in the trigonal crystal system. It is one of the most recognisable and admired quartz varieties, prized for its earthy transparency, deep tones, and natural variations.
The characteristic smoky colour forms through natural irradiation processes deep within the Earth, where small amounts of aluminium impurities within the quartz lattice are altered by exposure to low-level radioactive minerals in surrounding rock. This results in a range of smoky hues, from pale translucent grey-brown to nearly opaque black.
Geological Formation and Origin – Moroccan Quartz Deposits
Morocco is well-known among mineral collectors for producing high-quality quartz crystals, often found within hydrothermal veins, granite-associated deposits, and metamorphic terrains. Smoky Quartz from Morocco typically forms in:
- Quartz-rich hydrothermal veins, where silica-saturated fluids slowly cool
- Pegmatite pockets, allowing crystals to grow undisturbed
- High-pressure metamorphic environments, generating deep smoky tones
The region’s complex geological history, marked by tectonic uplift, volcanic activity, and ancient mineral-rich basins, provides ideal conditions for quartz growth. Moroccan specimens are admired for their clarity, colour balance, and strong geometric crystal formation.
Crystal Habit and Structural Features
Smoky Quartz crystals from Morocco commonly display:
- Prismatic hexagonal crystal habit, typical of quartz
- Well-defined terminations, often sharply faceted
- Parallel striations along prism faces
- Translucent to semi-opaque colouring
- Internal sheen or subtle reflective zones
These natural structures demonstrate the mineral’s long crystallisation history and the stability of the conditions under which it formed.
Colour Variations and Internal Characteristics
Smoky Quartz offers a beautiful spectrum of natural hues. Moroccan specimens may show:
- Light smoky grey, with high transparency
- Warm brown and earth-toned shading, influenced by geological impurities
- Deep, rich smoky black, characteristic of long-term natural irradiation
- Veils, internal planes, or wispy inclusions, documenting the crystal’s growth stages
These variations contribute to the uniqueness of each specimen. Internal “rainbow” flashes may appear when light interacts with internal fractures or growth planes.
Mineralogical Properties
As a quartz mineral, Smoky Quartz possesses:
- Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
- Chemical Composition: SiO₂ (Silicon Dioxide)
- Crystal System: Trigonal
- Lustre: Vitreous
- Transparency: Translucent to semi-opaque
- Cleavage: Indistinct; conchoidal fracture
Its hardness and durability make it well-suited for long-term handling and display.
Geological Interest and Collecting Appeal
Smoky Quartz is a favourite among mineral collectors due to its:
- Natural colour variations
- Strong, well-developed crystal geometry
- Origins in dynamic geological environments
- Durability and aesthetic appeal
Moroccan Smoky Quartz, in particular, is valued for its deep tones and distinctive clarity patterns. These specimens offer insight into mineral formation processes such as hydrothermal activity, natural irradiation, and slow crystallisation in silica-rich environments.
Display and Decorative Qualities
With its rich, smoky colour and natural geometric beauty, this Smoky Quartz crystal serves as an eye-catching display piece. It can be placed:
- In mineral cabinets
- On bookshelves or desks
- As part of home décor
- Within curated crystal displays
Its natural elegance and earthy tones make it a perfect addition to both modern and rustic interiors.
Whether collected for geological study, aesthetic enjoyment, or crystal appreciation, this Smoky Quartz specimen from Morocco offers exceptional natural beauty and authenticity.
All of our Crystals are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
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