Smoky Quartz Jewelry in Bangkok

Smoky quartz is a clear brown to gray gemstone with the warm, quiet color of tea, whisky or wood smoke. It is a natural quartz, hard enough for daily wear, and it comes in generous sizes that make a bold ring or pendant easy. Its earthy tone suits both men and women, and it looks rich in silver and warm in gold. We set natural smoky quartz in 925 sterling silver and solid gold at our studio on Sukhumvit 71, Bangkok.

This page covers what smoky quartz is, how it compares with other brown and dark gems, how to wear and care for it, what makes a good stone, where it comes from, how to see the stones at our shop, and how to order in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand.

What smoky quartz is

Smoky quartz is the brown to gray variety of quartz, silicon dioxide. It is the same mineral as purple amethyst and yellow citrine. The smoky color forms when quartz that contains a trace of aluminum is exposed to natural radiation in the rock over a very long time. Very dark, almost black smoky quartz is called morion. Scottish smoky quartz is known as cairngorm, after the mountains where it was found.

Much of the smoky quartz on the market has been given its color by irradiating colorless quartz, which copies the natural process; some is also gently heated to lighten a stone that is too dark. These treatments are common and stable. Every stone we set is natural, smoky quartz included, and if a stone has had any treatment we tell you before you order.

Smoky quartz is usually very clean and forms big crystals, so it is one of the most affordable ways to wear a large, bright gemstone. Some stones contain fine golden needles of rutile, called rutilated smoky quartz, which many people love for their character.

Smoky quartz facts at a glance

• Color: light tan and champagne to chocolate brown, gray and near black
• Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
• Family: quartz, with amethyst and citrine
• Treatment: often irradiated or heated, a stable and accepted practice
• Best for: large cocktail rings, men’s rings, pendants and earrings
• Care: warm soapy water and a soft brush; avoid high heat
• Price: depends on the quality and carat you choose; we quote before you order

Smoky quartz and other brown and dark gems

Citrine is yellow to orange quartz, the same hardness at 7. Light smoky quartz and deep citrine can look close; smoky quartz leans brown and gray, citrine leans golden.

Brown topaz is a little harder at 8 and is often sold as a similar champagne stone. The name smoky topaz is sometimes used for smoky quartz, but that is a trade misnomer: smoky quartz is quartz, not topaz.

Black onyx and black spinel are opaque black, while even a dark smoky quartz lets light through and glows brown at the edges. Choose smoky quartz when you want a dark stone that still sparkles.

Brown diamond is far harder and costs much more. Smoky quartz gives a similar warm color in a large size for a small part of the budget.

How to wear and care for smoky quartz

At 7 on the Mohs scale, smoky quartz handles daily wear well, though it can show fine scratches over the years on a ring worn every day, since dust contains quartz of the same hardness. It suits pendants and earrings with no worry, and a ring with a little care. Take it off for the gym and heavy work.

Clean it in warm soapy water with a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Keep it away from high heat, such as a jeweler’s torch or a very hot car dashboard, because strong heat can lighten or change the color. Normal daylight does not harm it. If it ever needs a polish or a check of the setting, bring it to our shop. Maintenance is free on jewelry we made.

What makes a good smoky quartz

Color is a matter of taste. Many people prefer a medium, transparent brown that is warm and rich without being too dark. Very dark stones can look black in a small size, and light champagne stones look soft and bright.

Clarity should be clean to the eye in faceted stones, and good smoky quartz usually is. The exception is rutilated quartz, where the golden needles are the point.

Cut brings out the life of the stone. Because smoky quartz is affordable and comes in big crystals, it is often cut in fancy shapes and checkerboard tops that catch the light beautifully.

Size is where smoky quartz shines. Large stones are easy to find, and the price per carat stays modest as the size grows.

Where smoky quartz comes from

Smoky quartz is found in many parts of the world. Brazil and Madagascar supply much of the gem material, and fine crystals come from the Swiss Alps, Scotland, Colorado in the United States, Mozambique and Namibia. If you want to know the origin of a particular stone, ask us: we offer certified stones, and an uncertified stone can be sent to a gem lab for a report at extra cost.

See smoky quartz at our shop in Bangkok

Shade is personal here. A very dark smoky quartz can read as black when small, light champagne looks soft and bright, and the same brown turns rich in silver and warm in gold. Name smoky quartz in your booking and we will pull extra stones, champagne to chocolate brown and gray, modest to large.

Walk in any time we are open, or book ahead so Yaron is there to help with the stone, the design and the metal, from 925 silver and gold plating to solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold.

Big, clean smoky quartz crystals make handsome loose stones, and some people buy one simply to keep. No jewelry order is needed, though we would be very happy to make a piece for you.

Not in Bangkok? Message us and we will send photos and prices of the smoky quartz we have.

Smoky quartz questions we get

Is your smoky quartz natural?

Yes. Every gemstone we set is natural, smoky quartz included. Much smoky quartz is irradiated or gently heated to set its color, a stable and accepted practice, and if a stone has had any treatment we tell you before you order. We are a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.

Is smoky quartz the same as smoky topaz?

Smoky topaz is an old trade name for smoky quartz. It is quartz, not topaz. Real brown topaz is a different and slightly harder mineral.

Is smoky quartz good for a men’s ring?

Yes. Its brown and gray tones suit men’s jewelry, and large stones are easy to find. At 7 on the Mohs scale it wears well with normal care.

Will smoky quartz fade?

Not in normal wear or daylight. Strong heat can lighten it, so keep it away from very hot places and from a torch during any jewelry repair.

How much does smoky quartz jewelry cost?

It depends on the quality and carat of the stone you choose, and on the metal. We give you the price before anything is made.

Can I buy just the stone?

Yes. You are welcome to buy a smoky quartz on its own and leave the setting for another day. If you want a ring or pendant made with it, now or later, we are happy to do the work.

How long does a smoky quartz piece take?

7 to 10 working days from your order, because the stones are already here in our shop, then 1 to 3 working days for delivery inside Thailand. We also ship abroad by FedEx.

Every smoky quartz piece is made to order by our team in Bangkok in 925 sterling silver or solid gold, with a 3-year warranty, free maintenance and free shipping across Thailand.