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Smoky quartz is a quartz variety. The color is smoke brown to almost black, translucent. Very dark variants are called morion. Smoky quartz is most common in cavities in intrusion rocks and high-grade metamorphic rocks. Smoky quartz is rare in sedimentary rocks and effluent rocks. Locations include in the Alps, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, India, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and the US. The color of smoky quartz is caused by aluminum in the crystal lattice in combination with ionizing radiation. The aluminum replaces the silicon in the crystal structure whereby the [AlO4-] complex is formed instead of [SiO4]. To compensate for the resulting charge difference, small monovalent cations of, for example, hydrogen, lithium or sodium are introduced into the crystal structure during the growth of the crystal. Under the influence of ionizing radiation, the electron of the [AlO4 -] complex moves to a cation, creating a color center. This process normally only takes place below 50 ° C. At higher temperatures, the degradation of the color centers takes place faster than their production. The source of the ionizing radiation is usually potassium-40 the surrounding rock. The color of smoky quartz comes into existence long after the crystals have formed and can take several millions of years. When heated above 200 ° C, smoky quartz will lose its color. Irradiating clear quartz (rock crystal) with X-rays or gamma rays almost always produces smoke quartz. The method is therefore used to turn colorless quartz into smoke quartz. In ancient times this stone warned the soldiers in battle as it turned dark. Smoky quartz is still used for rosaries and crucifixes. A number of medicinal effects are assigned to smoky quartz; it would help with digestive complaints, stress, sadness and help with a child's desire. According to various literature, the mineral belongs to the constellation: Libra.
Dimensions | 150-600 gram |
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