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The process by which this occurs is not completely understood,Īlthough it is known that exposure of transparent quartz to radiationĬan alter the oxidation states of impurities in the quartz The characteristic color of smoky quartz occurs in nature when rockĬrystal quartz is exposed to natural radiationįrom radioactive elements or adjacent radioactive rocks over long periods Quartz in cavities and vugs forming geodes. Quartz can occur as secondary quartz crystals on cryptocrystalline It also is common in vugs or pockets in pegmatite dikes. Veins where it crytallizes inside rock cavities known as vugs. Smoky quartz is transparent quartz that is brown, gray or black. SMOKY QUARTZ OCCURRENCE AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES Varieties of quartz, of which flint and Jasper are examples. Carnelian, Chrysoprase and bloodstoneĬhert is the general term applied to the granular cryptocrystalline Chalcedony is the general termĪpplied to the fibrous cryptocrystalline varieties.Īgate is an example of a fibrous cryptocystallineīanded chalcedony variety of quartz. The cryptocrystalline varieties of quartz may be separated into two types įibrous and microgranular. Macrocrystalline quartz grains with disseminated grains of other color imparting minerals. Some of the macrocrystalline quartz varieties are: Amethyst, Ametrine, Cats-eye Quartz, Citrine, Phantom Quartz, Rock Crystal, Rose Quartz, Rutilated Quartz and Smoky Quartz.īlue Aventurine Quartz and Green Aventurine QuartzĪre actually quartzites (a rock, not a mineral) composed essentially of interlocking Macrocrystalline quartz in which individual crystals are distinguishable with the naked eye,Īnd cryptocrystalline quartz in which the individual crystals are too small to be easily distinguishable under the Size of the individual grains or crystals Quartz varieties are commonly separated into two groups based on the Of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. It makes up about 12% of the earth's crust, occurring in a wide variety Quartz is the most abundant single mineral on earth. QUARTZ (Smoky Quartz) BACKGROUND INFORMATION Smoky Quartz Index of refraction: 1.54-1.55.Smoky Quartz Twinning: Dauphine twin with c the twin axis, Brazil.Prism faces identifying right or left handed crystals, respectively. Tapezohedral faces can occur in the upper right or left of alternating Or predominant resulting in diverse possible smoky quartz crystal habits. Prismįaces and/or rhombohedral terminations may be lacking, poorly developed Positive and negative rhombohedrons forming six sided pyramids. Horizontally striated hexagonal prisms terminated by a combination of Smoky Quartz Crystal habit: Macroscopic crystals commonly occur as.Crystal system: Hexagonal-Rhombohedral 32 (trigonal-trapezohedral).Smoky Quartz chemical composition: SiO 2.Return to the Index of Smoky Quartz Mineral Information Topics Rare Quality Smoky Quartz Crystal Items.Smoky Quartz Crystal Decorator Specimens.Smoky Quartz Crystals and Smoky Quartz Mineral Specimens.(Select any of these links to enter our Virtual Gallery) SMOKY QUARTZ Items In Our VIRTUAL GALLERY: Smoky Quartz Occurance Info and Diagnostic Features Smoky Quartz items in our VIRTUAL GALLERY Links to Smoky Quartz Information Topics On This Page: JASPER, PHANTOM QUARTZ, ROCK CRYSTAL, ROSE QUARTZ and RUTILATED QUARTZ Green AVENTURINE, CAT'S-EYE QUARTZ, CHRYSOPRASE, CITRINE, ELESTIAL (Skeletal) QUARTZ, See also our other varieties of QUARTZ: AGATE, AMETHYST, AMETRINE, Blue AVENTURINE, MINERALMINERS.COM ® - Your Personal 'Link' Direct to the Smoky Quartz Mines! TM
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