Pair of polished black quartz points collected and carved by us on the Camino de Santiago, in Galicia. Each point features a smoky gray tone that darkens to black, traversed from base to apex by a lighter central vein. Hand-carved and polished in our lapidary workshop, untreated.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Black / Smoky Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂) |
| Sizes |
Nr.1 — 16.8 × 13.2 × 5 mm · Nr.2 — 19 × 12.9 × 5.7 mm |
| Shape |
Freeform point, flat front and back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
7 on the Mohs scale |
| Origin |
Galicia, Spain — collected by us |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Piece Type |
Available in 2 points; each one is unique |
These particular pieces
The quartz is not a flat black: it is a translucent gray laden with internal clouds, dark specks, and lighter cottony areas that ignite when light enters through the polished faces. The paler central vein divides each point along a vertical axis, giving it the appearance of a miniature obelisk.
Both points were carved from the same material, so they share character but are not identical: Nr.2 is somewhat taller and more stylized, Nr.1 is more compact and wider. Their reduced thickness (5–5.7 mm) makes them flat pieces that stand upright and also work well as large-format cabochons.
How smoky quartz is formed
The smoky color of quartz comes from natural gamma radiation in the environment, which acts over millions of years on traces of aluminum trapped in the silica lattice. This irradiation displaces electrons and generates color centers that dye the crystal from gray to almost black. It is a slow, completely natural geological process; the tone is not an added dye, but the memory of the rock that contained it.
What it's good for
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Wire wrap and pendants — its flat profile and sharp point are ideal for setting in silver or copper wire as an obelisk-shaped pendant.
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Setting in 925 silver — the flat back allows for a bezel setting; with a hardness of 7, it is resistant to daily wear.
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Collection and display — they stand upright, perfect as a pair for a table, desk, or mineral display case.
Smoky quartz in lapidary tradition
Smoky quartz has been carved in Europe since antiquity; in Scotland, "cairngorm" extracted from the Grampian Mountains adorned brooches and sword hilts during the 19th century. The fact that these points come from material hand-collected on the Camino de Santiago places them in the same tradition of utilizing local quartz.
In crystal tradition, smoky quartz is associated with grounding and serenity — the stone for those seeking to settle their feet and clear their mind.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice.
How to recognize genuine smoky quartz
Authentic smoky quartz retains the hardness of 7 of quartz: it cannot be scratched with a steel knife. Under light, it shows a cold gray translucency and irregular internal clouds, very different from the opaque and uniform black of dyed glass. Veins and specks, like the central light line of these pieces, are features of the crystal's natural growth.
Frequently asked questions
Where does this quartz come from?
We collected it ourselves on the Camino de Santiago, in Galicia, and cut and polished it in our workshop. It is self-collected Spanish material.
Has it been treated?
No. No detectable treatment. The gray-black color is natural, a result of geological irradiation. This statement is based on lapidary observation; the piece does not include formal gemological certification.
Are the two points identical?
No. They share the same material and character, but each has its own shape, size, and cloud pattern. Each point is unique, within a tolerance of ±0.5 mm due to being hand-carved.
How should I care for it?
Clean them with a soft cloth and warm water; avoid knocks to edges and prolonged exposure to intense sunlight, which can lighten the tone. More information on jewelry care.
More about smoky quartz: properties and uses. See also: points and all stones.
