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Artificial products / Manufactured products · Artificial product type · Synthetic product
Synthetic Smoky Quartz
Synthetically made smoky-coloured quartz; GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A Table A.4 lists it as "synthetic smoky quartz", and the word "synthetic" must not be dropped. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Synthetic Smoky Quartz forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale, each finding graded and sourced
- Hardness, density and refractive index of Synthetic Smoky QuartzEach value with its source and check date
- Synthetic Smoky Quartz in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Has any of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A put a name for it on record here?
- Listing and disclosing Synthetic Smoky QuartzThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define Synthetic Smoky QuartzWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Synthetic smoky quartz is synthetic quartz — an artificially grown silicon dioxide single crystal — in its brown-to-grey smoky colour form, matching natural smoky quartz rather than forming through natural ore genesis. Under CIBJO rules a laboratory-grown stone is deemed to match its natural counterpart in structure, physical behaviour and chemical makeup in all essentials; being a colour type of synthetic quartz, synthetic smoky quartz is created by artificial crystal growth and acquires its smoky tone through doping and irradiation. Since the parent substance is artificial, it must be labelled 'synthetic smoky quartz' and never by the natural variety name alone.
Scope: Applies to explaining the artificially manufactured nature of synthetic smoky quartz as the smoky variety of synthetic quartz and its naming boundaries; does not describe the ore-forming process of natural smoky quartz.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2014
Where it forms
A controlled laboratory crystal-growth environment: synthetic smoky quartz is a man-made colour variety, not a natural geological setting.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2014
Natural smoky quartz occurrence settings (radioelement-bearing pegmatites, hydrothermal veins) do not apply; synthetic smoky quartz has no natural formation origin.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2014
How it forms, step by step
Prepare the silicon dioxide feedstock and dope it with colouring elements (e.g. aluminium).
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Grow a quartz crystal artificially under controlled laboratory conditions.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Apply irradiation so that the crystal takes on the brown/grey smoky colour.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Cut and polish the material and name/disclose it as 'synthetic smoky quartz'.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Link to appearance
Synthetic smoky quartz shares the composition and structure of natural smoky quartz, so its appearance can be very similar; its smoky colour is obtained by doping and irradiation, though the selected sources give no variety-specific zoning data.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2014
Timescale
The selected sources give no growth duration or market-introduction date for synthetic smoky quartz.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2014
Related base materials
- Synthetic quartz: parent-synthetic-material | Synthetic smoky quartz is the brown variety of synthetic quartz corresponding to the colour of natural smoky quartz; its parent material is man-made
Supporting findings
As a colour variety of synthetic quartz, synthetic smoky quartz is manufactured by artificial crystal growth and undergoes no natural ore-forming process.
Evidence grade AScope: States its synthetic nature; not the specific growth parameters.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Other research findings
Synthetic smoky quartz is the smoky variety of synthetic quartz corresponding to natural smoky quartz; it has essentially the same composition and structure as the natural material and is an artificial product.
Evidence grade AScope: Defines its identity and technical standing; not the genesis of natural smoky quartz.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
A synthetic stone must be named/disclosed as 'synthetic' + natural counterpart name; synthetic smoky quartz must follow this naming rule.
Evidence grade AScope: A naming/disclosure rule; not a specific process.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Synthetic quartz can be distinguished from its natural counterpart using a combination of techniques such as inspection of twinning and colour zoning, chemical analysis and infrared spectra.
Evidence grade AScope: Evidence from a synthetic ametrine identification study; the method extends to synthetic quartz colour varieties.
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- Within this source set no source specifically documents the synthetic smoky quartz colour variety; its identity and manufacturing nature are inferred from the generic CIBJO synthetic-stone rules and synthetic-quartz-related evidence.
- The selected sources give no growth method or temperature, pressure and duration parameters for synthetic smoky quartz.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Smoky Quartz
GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4 “Synthetic Smoky Quartz” · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 4.3.3.1
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
"Synthetic Smoky Quartz" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.
Evidence
- GB/T · Table A.4, row 合成烟晶 (Synthetic Smoky Quartz)
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Synthetic Smoky Quartz" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- This entry's exact material identity is not fully settled.
- See “Disclosure and cautions” above
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Trade-name ruling
- Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Smoky Quartz
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Standard and listing namesThe GB/T 16552—2017 formal name for Synthetic Smoky Quartz is synthetic smoky quartz (Table A.4), and the suggested listing name is Synthetic Smoky Quartz; the word synthetic must not be omitted when listing. Names in four languagesFour-language names are given in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Synthetic Smoky Quartz) and Japanese; the mineralogical name and the English description are both written Synthetic smoky-coloured quartz. Institution usageOn authority wording, the FTC and CIBJO texts on file have no wording for Synthetic Smoky Quartz (checked), and GIA and Gem-A are unchecked; bodies checked whose original contains no wording for this name show the entry's own English name, which does not represent their position. Japanese namesThe entry has its own Japanese name, and the wording of Japan's GSJ for this material is not yet verified by this site.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- 合成スモーキークォーツ (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- Chinese formal name
- 合成烟晶 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4)
- Mineralogical name
- Synthetic smoky-coloured quartz
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 合成烟晶
- 繁體中文
- 合成煙晶
- English
- Synthetic Smoky Quartz
- 日本語
- 合成スモーキークォーツ
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Material domain
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Browsing family
- Synthetic gem products
- Identity tier
- Artificial product type
- Mineral chemical class
- Mixed / composition-dependent
- Construction or treatment status
- Synthetic product
What it is and how it's identified
The material facts for Synthetic Smoky Quartz are registered in GB/T 16553—2017 for synthetic quartz (the whole class); they are not measurements of Synthetic Smoky Quartz itself. Registered for synthetic quartz (the whole class): structure crystalline, trigonal; Mohs hardness 7, cleavage none; density 2.64–2.69 g/cm³, the range shown by this site being derived from the clause value of 2.66 and tolerances of +0.03 and −0.02; optic character anisotropic, uniaxial, positive; refractive index 1.544–1.553, birefringence 0.009. Pleochroism registered for synthetic quartz (the whole class) is weak, varying with colour, treatment state untreated; lustre registered for synthetic quartz (the whole class) is vitreous, treatment state untreated.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Chemical composition, long-wave UV luminescence, short-wave UV luminescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum, magnification: these whole-class features are given in the cited clause for synthetic quartz (the whole class), so they are not repeated on the Synthetic Smoky Quartz page; see the material facts on the Synthetic Quartz entry.
Items below that name the class they cover give the cited clause’s value for that whole class, not a measurement of Synthetic Smoky Quartz (how to read class-level values).
Structure
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — structure (overall): crystalline
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — structure (crystal system): trigonal
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — structure (crystal habit): flat hexagonal prisms; faces usually show a cobblestone-like texture.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Durability
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — Mohs hardness: 7
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — cleavage: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Physical properties
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — density: 2.64–2.69 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 2.66, with a stated tolerance of +0.03 / -0.02. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Optical
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — optic character: uniaxial, optically positive (anisotropic)
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — refractive index: 1.544–1.553
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — birefringence: 0.009
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — pleochroism: weak; it depends on the body colour.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Quality factors
Synthetic Smoky Quartz — quality factor (lustre): vitreous
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.548 / 2.67; Closest values: 1Agate 1.537 / 2.63, 2Shoushan Stone 1.56 / 2.7, 3Changhua Stone 1.56 / 2.6, 4Bamboo Coral 1.57 / 2.65, 5Synthetic Beryl 1.57 / 2.69
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Clause-level definitions
Synthetic Smoky Quartz has a clause-level definition in GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A under the term Synthetic Smoky Quartz, with the definition Synthetic smoky-coloured quartz. The cross-check result for the term Synthetic Smoky Quartz is that it is listed directly in GB/T, and no identically titled standalone entry was found in CIBJO.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic Smoky Quartz | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A | Synthetic smoky-coloured quartz | Listed directly by GB/T; CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name. |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- Federal Trade Commission (United States). In the Loupe: Advertising Diamond, Gemstones and Pearls.
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Synthetic gem products | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Synthetic Smoky Quartz entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.