Smoky Quartz with Albite
Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameSmoky Quartz with Albite
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.65
Colorssmoky brown, gray, white
Transparencytransparent to translucent
Type LocalityTaquaral, Itinga, Jequitinhonha valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, industrial, collector
Associated Mineralsalbite, feldspar, mica
Rarityuncommon
Description
A large, impressive cluster of smoky quartz crystals, exhibiting a translucent smoky brown to gray color and well-formed prismatic habits with distinct terminations. The quartz is associated with smaller, white to off-white albite crystals at its base.
Geological Context
Smoky quartz often forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks, particularly in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins, crystallizing from silica-rich fluids. Albite is a common feldspar found in similar geological environments, especially in granitic pegmatites.
