Smoky Quartz Rings
And
Your Guide to the Smoky Quartz Gemstone

smoky quartz rings

Smoky quartz rings hold an alluring gemstone which is a stunning alternative to the en vogue chocolate diamond.

Ranging in colors from transparent light brown, to almost black, and with faceted cuts that yield a striking look and style, quartz rings are perfect for both men and women and suitable for men's wedding bands, women's engagement rings and unique wedding rings in general.

To find a gorgeous smoky quartz ring you'll love for years to come, use the helpful info below including gemstone properties, common enhancements, price guides and essential shopping tips on what to look for in a quality smoky quartz gemstone.

Smoky Quartz
Fast Fun Facts!

Birthstone Month? None, but strongly associated with Capricorn

Durability: Very Good

Meaning: Transformation and renewal

Flash Factor: Moderate

Special Care: Some

Price $$: Affordable

Availability: High

If you have any questions, or you would like to share pics or reviews of your smoky quartz ring, just use the comment box at the end of the page!

Smoky Quartz Properties

The smoky quartz gemstone is durable, abundant and available in a wide range of prices and cuts. With a moderate amount of flash and fire too, this gemstone can display eye-catching fire especially in high brilliance cuts like round, radiant, pear and princess cuts.

Durability = Very Good
Hardness = 7.0
Refractive Index = 1.54 - 1.55
Specific Gravity = 2.65


The Meaning of the Smoky Quartz Gemstone

Smoky quartz is a gemstone that is most often associated with clearing the air. It is believed to transform negative energies to positive ones, to alleviate emotional upset, and to help the wearer be in the 'now' instead of living in the past.


Smoky Quartz Gemstone Enhancements

Colorless or lighter toned quartz is often irradiated (label R) to create smoky quartz. This type of enhancement has an excellent stability rating, and it is almost impossible to tell which stones are natural and which have been irradiated.

Some smoky quartz stones are often heat treated (label E or H) to produce a very even uniform color throughout the stone too - and this type of enhancement has a stability rating of good.

Unless otherwise stated, you should assume that a smoky quartz ring contains an irradiated or heat treated gemstone.


Special Care for Smoky Quartz Rings

A durable quartz ring requires little care, but you should avoid harsh household chemicals and steam cleaning. As smoky quartz can scratch if exposed to hard substances, it should not be worn during heavy labor activities. And it is best to store a smoky quartz ring in a protected pouch away from other pieces of jewelry to avoid surface scratches.


Smoky Quartz Resources

The most active sources for smoky quartz are located in Africa, Brazil, Switzerland, and the U.S. (Colorado and New Hampshire). Switzerland produces a very beautiful warm-colored type of smoky quartz known as "Cairngorm" quartz; another notable type of smoky quartz is the dark yet translucent "Morion" quartz.

*Smoky quartz is sometimes sold as 'smoky topaz' but this term is incorrect and frowned upon in professional gemological circles. Most reputable gemstone ring retailers, boutiques and jewelers will not use this term.

Smoky Quartz Gemstone Price Guide

For faceted cut stones, smoky quartz is on average around $20.00 per carat. However, the price for a smoky quartz ring can substantially increase based on the metal and workmanship of the ring that the stone has been set in.

Smoky quartz is valued first and foremost by its cut - a custom cut smoky quartz ring which displays a high reflective brilliance and facets of color is much more highly valued than a commercial cut stone. Following cut, smoky quartz is valued on its clarity, carat size, and color.

Some smoky quartz gemstones contain minute needle like inclusions which can be quite attractive, but for the purposes of a quality ring - a high grade clarity smoky quartz should be used. Too many inclusions on any type of gemstone can decrease the durability of the stone.

As this type of gemstone comes in many colors, color has little effect on the value of the stone. Although, darker toned smoky quartz gemstones with a consistent and saturated color tend to have higher values.

Carat does not have a huge impact on the price of smoky quartz rings or smoky quartz wedding rings, and regardless of the gemstone's size the average cost of $20.00 per carat holds.

wedding ring shopping tips


Shopping Tips for Smoky Quartz Rings

Due to the availability and affordability of smoky quartz, there are not many synthetic forms of smoky quartz on the market today. Instead, you should focus on smoky quartz rings made with natural quality cut quartz which hold a gemstone with consistent strong saturated color and which feature overall supreme workmanship in the creation of the rings.

Smoky quartz and diamond rings definitely are some of the most popular styles - just keep in mind that rings made with diamonds should come with certifications which grade the diamonds - and the top reputable diamond certification laboratories in the world include the GIA, AGS, EGL and IGI.

For affordable rings, or rings made with very intricate metal styling, sterling silver smoky quartz rings are an excellent idea followed by palladium rings.

While white gold rings are extremely popular too, white gold will need a new rhodium plate from time to time - and this process can be harsh on gemstones. Instead, it is best to go with metals like silver, palladium, platinum, rose gold and yellow gold.

True natural smoky quartz of a quality uniform color and clarity is valued higher than treated quartz, but some sellers are not always honest with their treatment labels - and this type of quartz is somewhat rare. 

If you are on the lookout for a ring made with natural un-enhanced smoky quartz, here's a tip: smoky quartz that has not received heat or irradiation treatments usually always has some color shade variation within the stone, and is often darker at the base - while enhanced or treated smoky quartz has a perfect uniform color.

Stay away from rings that are made with any type of plate - smoky quartz rings made with rose gold plated over silver are quite common but the rose gold plate will chip and wear away within a matter of months.

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