Smoky Quartz Meaning, Myths and Magic

May 23, 2022
Posted by Sally Clarke

Smoky Quartz is a stone rich in meaning, with a deep, earthy colour palette and a fascinating history. It's long been one of our favourites - less 'razzle dazzle' than it's sparkly purple cousin Amethyst, sure, but we love its subtle, mature and moody aesthetic.

Thought to be a tool to absorb emotional baggage or deeply rooted negative thoughts, Smoky Quartz is a translucent crystal which varies between shades of black, grey and brown. The silvery smoke caused by natural irradiation creates the striking bands of darkness Smoky Quartz is famed for. This semi-precious crystal is commonly mined right here in Australia, as well as in Brazil, the United States, and Madagascar.

Known as Morion in Gaelic, German, Danish, Spanish and Polish, Smoky Quartz is universally prevalent across cultures both ancient and modern. It has a rich history of folklore and beliefs surrounding it.

Sacred Stone of Scotland

As the national gem of Scotland, Smoky Quartz is a prominent fixture in Celtic folklore. To the Druids of Scottish lore, Smoky Quartz was considered a stone of power, representing the dark power of the Earth gods. When they first began colonising the British Isles circa 300 B.C., the Celts would mine Smoky Quartz in the Cairngorm Mountains in the Scottish Highlands. The dark stones they would call Morion, while the lighter yellow-brown crystals were dubbed “Cairngorm” after the mountains from which they came.

Such was the appeal of the holy stone that the Celts would wear Smoky Quartz every day, forging pins for their kilts and decorative brooches to wear on their chests. Jewellery and weapons including the Scottish dagger sgian dubh, a “sock knife” which is still part of a proper kilted dress uniform today, were other ways the Celts would feature the prized stone.

Smoky Quartz Meaning Around the World

Equally revered in other corners of the world, Smoky Quartz held special meaning to the Maori tribes of New Zealand, the Mesoamericans, the Egyptians as well as the Greeks and Romans. In Greek mythology, it is associated with Hecate, the Goddess of Magic, coincidentally also representing the dark powers of Earth gods and goddesses.

References to Smoky Quartz made by Pliny the Elder in the 1^st century A.D. reflects the popularity of the stone as jewellery. From the time of Ancient Egypt, Smoky Quartz was made into small beads or polished cabochon style to adorn the wealthy and privileged. At the height of the Renaissance Smoky Quartz enjoyed a massive resurgence in Europe and was often worn by many members of European royalty as a faceted cut stone.

Crystal Healing Beliefs

As the “grounding stone”, Smoky Quartz meaning signifies stability and balance. It can be used as a tool to help you let go of negativity and challenging circumstances. During times of adversity Smoky Quartz offers a sense of security to help with emotional rebalancing and restore calmness to your spirit and soul.

The crystal is connected to those born under the zodiac signs of Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn, particularly for the birth sign of Scorpio which is prone to dark moods. Smoky Quartz brightens the air with its cleansing energy to carry Scorpios forward when they need it most.

To get the most out of this remarkable gem, wear it every day against your skin as a visual reminder to let go of the negative forces holding you back. Place Smoky Quartz in the home in high-traffic areas to keep the atmosphere uplifted and positive.