Smoky quartz is a member of the quartz family or crystals.  The name of this crystal comes from its smoky appearance. This is caused by the natural radiation from the soil combined with elements of aluminium within it. The process is truly fascinating and it takes millions of years, the longer the gemstone is unmined the richer the shade will be. People do sometimes try to mimic this type by heat-treating them (I will always note this if I carry this kind).

Smoky Quartz is a silicon dioxide crystal. It’s a particularly durable crystal with a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is also known as a piezoelectric gem that can carry electrical charge when exposed to an applied voltage.

Smoky Quartz is the national gemstone of Scotland, often referred to as the ‘cairngorm’ after the Cairngorm mountains where it was found. Crystals from this particular place are rarely found, but thankfully this stone is available in many different countries all over the globe. Brazil, Switzerland, Mozambique, the United States and Madagascar are just some of the sources for this beautiful stone.

Smoky Quartz is one of the most powerful anchoring stones. It carries Earth energies which help with grounding and healing of the root chakra. Thus, having this crystal in your life can help you feel more stable and able to stand up for yourself when needed. If you are looking for protection against negativity, this is the ideal gemstone. It also increases survival instincts and helps with reaching personal and business goals by bringing in abundance and prosperity. All of these energies combined make Smoky Quartz clusters your spiritual compass, clearing the path ahead and helping you in making better decisions. 

Smoky Quartz comes in a variety of forms that can be carried around such as jewelry or tumbles, or placed in the home with raw Smoky Quartz clusters or even polished points and shapes. And people will often create a Smoky Quartz barrier around their home to absorb negative external energies.  It is also a wonderful gift for those born in November as it is considered one of the birthstones of that month.