This mineral is very popular among jewelers, along with such natural gemstones as citrine, amethyst and others. Especially appreciate the smoky-golden shade of this crystal, but in general its color range - from dark to grayish. It is difficult to say where the boundary between smoky quartz and morion lies, although they believe that the first are transparent, and the latter are translucent in a thin layer. It is almost impossible to distinguish between pale yellowish natural citrine and light smoky quartz; often for them take and faded in the sun amethysts.
Although there is more than enough smoky quartz in nature, it is not necessary to synthesize it, while the prices for it, with extensive use in jewelry, are quite high. Do not believe if you are trying to give a rauchtopaz for a natural topaz, because they are never smoky, and the beautiful, archaic name "rauchtopaz" is just a marketing move.
When the smoky quartz is heated to a temperature of more than three hundred degrees, the smoky color disappears. This color instability was used in the Urals in the 17-19th centuries, when smoky quartz or morion baked in bread to make citrine. The color of the crystals of smoky quartz can vary from greenish-smoky to violet when rotating. This phenomenon was called "anomalous pleochroism." This property should be taken into account when working with a mineral.
In nature, smoky quartz is found mainly in the Urals in Russia, in the Swiss Alps, Brazil, Namibia, Germany, Japan, the USA (the states of Maine and Colorado), in Spain.
The healing and magical properties of smoky quartz
Medical properties. It is believed that smoky quartz has medicinal properties. He allegedly helps with mental disorders, such as depression, obsessions, suicidal tendencies, eliminates smoking, alcoholism, and drug addiction. The stone, in order to get help from him, must always be and everywhere to have and mentally turn to him.
Influencing one of the chakras (kundalini), the mineral helps to get rid of the complexities and clarifies the thoughts.
Magical properties. It is also believed that smoky quartz has magical properties. Once it was used in black magic, as the strongest "dark" stone, believing that it can attract and retain the power of Darkness, summon spirits, send spells, subordinate people to someone else's will. With his help, the mystics foresaw the future and guessed the past. There are many manuscripts with descriptions of medieval magical rituals using smoky quartz. Scientists of the past also tried to unravel the secrets of the Universe, to look into the Cosmos. Chroniclers pointed to the danger of abuse of the "dark" forces of the mineral. They believed that a stone can distort reality, draw troubles, plunge a person into the Darkness.
If the stone is used in the name of good, it helps overcome obstacles, teaches persistence, develops courage, will power, activates sexuality, cheerfulness, restlessness.
In astrology, this stone corresponds to Scorpio and Libra. People of these signs should carry it with themselves, the rest is contraindicated, they can use the stone only for treatment and for awakening the Muse. But Cancer is not worth keeping a crystal.
Smoky quartz is also known as the "Stone of the Buddha." According to popular belief, he is almost the darkest in the energy plan mineral on the planet: he relieves irritation, raises thoughts from the depths of the subconscious to a higher level, neutralizes the negative, removes toxins.
Smoky quartz is used in the manufacture of talismans and amulets, which help to attract luck, reveal opportunities and abilities, contribute to the mastery of hidden knowledge and wisdom.