Specifications
Description
Locality: Baia Mare mining district, Maramureș County, Romania
Smoky quartz gets its colour from aluminium. In all smoky quartz a little aluminium takes the place of silicon, but the colour only appears once the crystal has been irradiated. Natural radiation over geological time removes an electron from an oxygen atom next to an aluminium ion, creating a colour centre that absorbs light and gives the typical smoky brown. With enough aluminium and intense radiation the quartz turns completely black, the variety called morion, and heating removes the colour.
The Baia Mare district lies in the Gutâi Mountains of northern Romania, part of the volcanic arc on the inner side of the Carpathians. Volcanic activity built these mountains between about 15.4 and 7 million years ago, and the hydrothermal fluids linked to it left hundreds of gold-silver and lead-zinc veins. The Main Vein of the Baia Sprie mine, 8 km long, is the longest ore vein in Europe.
Mining around Baia Mare is documented with certainty from the 13th and 14th centuries, and the late 15th century brought a first boom in gold and silver mining. More than 20 mines were still working the district's veins until 2007, and two of its deposits, Cavnic and Baia Sprie, are classed as world-class.
This one of a kind Smokey Quartz specimen from Romania features a dense cluster of translucent smoky-brown Quartz crystals growing in radiating groups across a pale gray and white matrix. The crystals show well-formed pointed terminations, glassy luster, and natural internal zoning, ranging from light champagne-brown to deeper smoky tones. Several areas display smaller clear to lightly smoky Quartz crystals, adding sparkle and contrast against the larger darker points. The overall formation has a sculptural, flower-like cluster appearance with strong depth and display presence.
Smokey Quartz is a naturally irradiated variety of Quartz, with its brown to gray coloration caused by trace aluminum in the crystal structure interacting with natural radiation over time. Quartz has been used for thousands of years in tools, carving, jewelry, and collecting, while Smokey Quartz has long been admired for its earthy colour and durability. Romanian Quartz specimens are associated with the historic mining regions of the Carpathian Mountains, especially areas known for hydrothermal veins and complex sulfide mineral deposits.
In crystal traditions, smoky quartz is associated with grounding, protection and calm focus.
Chemical Composition: SiO2
Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.