Morion
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Yiyi" title="User:Yiyi">Dario Crespi</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameMorion
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.65
Colorsblack, dark brown
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityBrazil, Switzerland, Scotland, USA
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, collector, metaphysical
Associated Mineralsfeldspar, mica, topaz, beryl
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen features a cluster of dark, nearly opaque black prismatic quartz crystals, characteristic of Morion, growing on a lighter-colored matrix. The crystals exhibit distinct striations on their faces and sharp terminations.
Geological Context
Morion, a very dark variety of smoky quartz, forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks, often in pegmatites or hydrothermal veins. Its dark color is typically caused by natural irradiation of aluminum impurities within the crystal lattice.
