An unusual brown hue, which can be diluted with golden inclusions, unique strength and a number of magical qualities attributed to this stone - this is how one can briefly characterize the rauchtopaz stone, which pleases the eye with its beauty.
Rauchtopaz can rightfully be considered one of the most popular stones, which is used in the manufacture of jewelry: brooches, pendants, pendants, as well as in other areas.
Brief information about the mineral:
- Precious;
- Lasting;
- Not demanding in care;
- Price – from 1500 rub.
General description of the stone
Being a type of quartz, rauchtopaz is distinguished by a smoky-brown hue, which, if the mineral contains even a small content of copper or iron, has golden inclusions.
Possessing high strength, this stone is used to create figurines; it can be given a variety of shapes.
Having a high degree of transparency, rauchtopaz can have a wide range of different shades.
Its closest relatives in terms of external characteristics and structure should be considered rock crystal, rose quartz, amethyst and citrine.
Physico-chemical properties of rauchtopaz
The chemical formula of the mineral is SiO2, with possible admixtures of aluminum and iron. Rauchtopaz has a slight alexandrite effect - it slightly changes its color depending on the lighting (daylight and artificial) - from greenish to violet.
Rauchtopases are characterized by high strength with an index of 7 on the Mohs scale. The stone is fragile, but quite resistant to scratches, has high transparency and a wide range of shades - from light gray to the color of dark chocolate.
Primary colors are often complemented by purple and gold hues. Golden brown smoky shades are especially nice. The smoky color of the crystal completely disappears when exposed to high (more than 350 °C) temperatures.
In addition to smoky and golden crystal, rauchtopazes with rutile inclusions are popular. The coloring turns out to be unusual, as if strands of hair are visible through the transparency of the stone. These rutile rauchtopases were called “hair of Venus”.
Not often, but the rarest type of stone is found, morion - a black stone. Morion is a very dense stone; it has slight transparency only in very thin plates. This stone is especially valued not only by jewelers, but is also a desirable acquisition for collectors. Because of its dark color, morion has long been called the stone of sorcerers.
Deposits of smoky quartz - rauchtopaz
Once again, we will have to name Brazil. This country is the world's leading exporter of smoky quartz. There are deposits of this gem in the Swiss Alps, Germany, Spain, the USA and some African countries. Sometimes large stones are found in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. In Russia, rauchtopaz is found in the Urals.
Origin story
The appearance of rauchtopaz in history is associated with the difference in its name: in different periods of time the mineral bore different names, its magical and medicinal properties were interpreted differently.
However, people have always noted its attractive appearance, the ability to use it to create exquisite jewelry and special properties that could be used to improve health, attract the opposite sex and increase a person’s magical power.
The names of the stone sounded differently among different peoples and in different periods of time; the meaning of the rauchtopaz stone was largely determined by its color or deposit:
- The most ancient names for rauchtopaz are “Colorado diamond”, gypsy, “radium diamond” and talyanchik.
- In the Middle Ages, doctors called it rauchquartz, which more correctly described the nature of the stone.
- The English most often used the name “Cairngorm” - this is the name of the mountains in Scotland (Cairngorm Mountains), in which a similar mineral was found.
- “Gopher” was the name given to the stone in Rus', due to its color. Also, the Russians called rauchtopaz “smazne”.
- Eastern peoples gave the name to the mineral “Buddha stone” for its attractiveness and full of charm, the smoky iridescence of its facets.
French connoisseurs of the beauty of this unusual stone gave it the name “Alençon diamond”, which is due to its external characteristics and the place of extraction - the city of Alençon, located in France.
Historical events that made rauchtopaz famous
Throughout its development, rauchtopaz bore many names: radiant diamond, gypsy, talyanchik, grease, gopher, cairngorm. And this is not a complete list. But no matter how different peoples called the stone, absolutely everyone believed and praised the mystical potential of the crystal. Now mineralologists welcome one name - smoky quartz.
Historical facts say that in ancient India, yogis and brahmins could not do without this stone while performing many magical rituals.
Also, mentions of him were seen in the ancient records of the Jews. In Europe and Rus', rauchtopaz was valued as a powerful amulet that protected against adversity and misfortune.
Three centuries ago in Russia, the smoky quartz stone had a bad reputation; it was believed that it had a connection with a dark entity and could have a bad influence on the human soul, luring it to the devil. But at the same time, the stone had a high value among some segments of the population and was used for good purposes.
For example, in order to get rid of bad influence from others, some housewives placed it in the center of the future loaf of bread and baked it in the oven. Under the influence of high temperatures, the stone became lighter and, as the local people believed, purified.
An excursion into the history of the mysterious stone
However, not everyone mystifies the stone and prefers to use the stone exclusively as an unusual piece of jewelry. In Scotland, for a long time, men's suits were decorated with smoky quartz, making cufflinks, tie clips, and decorating canes.
The fashion for jewelry made from rauchtopaz has not faded to this day, as jewelry stores continue to provide a wide range of jewelry with smoky crystal.
physical characteristics
Despite its name, rauchtopaz is not structurally related to topaz. Its composition may include various components; the stone is classified as island aluminum silicates.
The prefix “rauch” translated from German means “smoke”: it is the characteristic smoky color that gives the stone its special charm and attractiveness. And the smoke is silicon dioxide, that is, quartz.
Color and its shades, as well as smokiness, are imparted to the mineral by irradiation.
Scientists made this conclusion based on an analysis of stone extraction sites: it is most often found in granite rocks, which have a natural radioactive background.
Based on such observations, various studies of the mineral were carried out, and the following results were obtained:
- After irradiation, transparent rock crystal acquired a smoky appearance, that is, it became rauchtopaz.
- Rutile, which loses its color when destroyed due to rising temperatures, is responsible for the mineral acquiring a yellow tint.
- A smoky sample will completely turn into citrine when the stone is heated to a temperature of 300-350°C.
The strength of the mineral is high and amounts to 7 points on the generally accepted Mohs scale. This makes it possible to use rauchtopaz for the manufacture of various objects of art with high precision and smooth lines.
Mining locations
A large number of stone quarrying sites are located in Latin American countries. However, rauchtopaz of unsurpassed beauty is currently mined in Brazil. It is here that products made from the stone in question have the best external characteristics, attracting the attention of all connoisseurs of its natural beauty.
The following countries also mine smoky quartz:
- California (United States of America);
- Namibia (Africa); Spain;
- Switzerland;
- Germany;
- Madagascar island;
- Ural in Russia.
The advantage of the stone should be considered its location in nature in the form of large aggregates located in the ground at a shallow depth, which facilitates the extraction process. A special technique is used to pull especially large stones to the surface.
Field
The discovery of this gem occurred in the mountains of Switzerland, Madagascar, and also in Brazil. In the mountains of America, a few deposits were discovered in which the mineral consists of fused branches of a crystal.
It can be either completely transparent or translucent.
Mining rauchtopaz is not a difficult or rare process: deposits of the mineral are often found in hydrothermal veins of rocks that are adjacent to the place where rock crystal is mined.
To extract large specimens of the gem, which can reach a mass of 200 kg or more, special equipment is used.
Colors and types
In nature, there are a large number of varieties of rauchtopaz, depending on the degree of color of the stone and its shades.
The most common color is the brown color of the stone, but there are transparent and translucent options that seem to be filled with haze inside, which gives the stone mystery and attractiveness.
Rare specimens whose color is close to black are called morions, but their production is limited. Crystals with a brown color are more often found.
Morion
Rauchtopaz is a stone for decorating jewelry, and its color allows you to choose a material for decoration so that the mineral looks most attractive.
Magic properties
Rauchtopaz has long attracted the attention of magicians, fortune tellers and fortune tellers. This is due to its special coloring, which adds mystery to the stone.
It was often used to perform various rituals, attributing to the mineral the ability to serve as a guide to other worlds.
The magical properties of the stone are used to restore mental balance and give greater insight
When choosing rauchtopaz, you should take into account the specifics of a person’s makeup and profession, as well as interests.
Wearing a rauchtopaz stone as a talisman entails the following changes in life:
- Eliminates obsessive thoughts and ideas.
- Drives away negative forces and evil spirits.
- Restores peace of mind and psychological comfort.
- Eliminates the negative effects of enemies and negative energy.
- Increases the degree of susceptibility to magical actions, obtaining the gift of clairvoyance.
Many people note that when wearing rauchtopaz as a talisman, you can gain the ability to see prophetic dreams and predict the future.
Medicinal properties
Unique medicinal qualities were noted for this mineral already in ancient times. Doctors used sharp, light-colored pieces of this natural gem to perform surgical interventions.
And although today it is not used during operations, the medicinal properties of rauchtopaz are used in folk medicine.
According to research, a mineral with a pronounced brown color has a positive effect on the human body in the following cases:
- In the treatment of alcohol addiction.
- To eliminate gambling and drug addiction.
- In the presence of nervous overload and a tendency to prolonged depression.
- To relieve the most obvious symptoms of mental disorders.
It is with the help of rauchtopaz that many healers eliminate various types of addiction and ensure a speedy recovery in the manifestations of many nervous and psycho-emotional diseases.
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
The zodiac sign determines how sensitive a particular person will be to the effects of the rauchtopaz stone:
- Cancers and Scorpios may feel some discomfort from wearing items made from rauchtopaz due to their natural secrecy and increased sensitivity: the impact of the mineral will enhance these character traits, making representatives of these signs more withdrawn.
- For representatives of fire signs (this applies to Sagittarius, Leo and Aries ), they are contraindicated, since they can turn them into real dreamers: if they regularly wear the stone, they will feel an uncharacteristic constraint for them, which will leave their desire for active action only at the stage of fantasy.
- Wearing a talisman made from this stone has a good effect on Capricorns : the stubborn disposition of these people will become more balanced, which will make it easier for them to perceive life with its adversities and storms.
- With regular use of jewelry made from this stone, Virgo
- For Pisces and Gemini, jewelry and talismans with dark-colored stones will allow them to remain calm in difficult situations, balance them and give them mental strength. It will be most useful to them for medicinal purposes and for the prevention of heart disease.
- By regularly wearing jewelry with rauchtopaz, Libra will become more purposeful .
- to Aquarius : against the backdrop of natural calm, people belonging to this zodiac sign may develop a tendency toward anger and increased nervousness.
Horoscope compatibility
What do astrologers say? Rauchtopaz is not equally favorable to all signs of the zodiac. It is ideal for Capricorns, especially those who recognize their notorious Capricorn stubbornness as a problem. Smoky crystal helps soften this feature. For Virgos, who are already quite restrained, the gem will help them find a state of complete peace and harmony. Rauchquartz helps to reveal self-confidence in shy and always doubting Gemini and Pisces.
But representatives of the remaining signs of the water element are not recommended to indulge in rauchtopaz jewelry, since in this case the stone can strengthen paranoid and obsessive-compulsive traits. And the combination of the energies of smoky quartz and the elements of fire can provoke delusions of grandeur in the already not very modest and undemanding Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Who is it suitable for depending on their profession?
There is an indicator of whether the mineral in question is suitable for wearing by certain people. So, in the case of a clear denial of rauchtopaz, if you experience unpleasant sensations while wearing it, you should not purchase jewelry and art products made from it.
The stone is perfect for people of the following professions and interests:
- Yogis to purify their consciousness.
- Sorcerers, magicians, lovers of everything unusual and mystical to lift the curtain to another world.
- With an increased tendency to take everything to heart.
- For entrepreneurs and businessmen, a pendant or decoration for cufflinks is an indicator of their impeccable taste and as a talisman against business failures.
People with creative professions (writers, musicians, artists) should sometimes hold a rauchtopaz stone in their hands to regularly “touch the muse.” And earrings with stones are perfect for women's professions: educators, teachers, housewives, nannies.
Talismans and amulets
Jewelry made from smoky rauchtopaz, as well as amulets of various shapes and types, provide reliable protection. It is especially evident for those people who sincerely believe in the protective qualities of the stone and feel comfort and tranquility when wearing it.
Talismans also have the following effects on humans:
- Eliminate dependence on other people's opinions.
- Prevent the negative effects of evil forces.
- Stimulate the immune system and protect against infectious and viral lesions.
Regularly wearing such a talisman increases the power of intuition and allows you to improve your magical power.
According to psychics, talismans made of stone of a darker shade have greater power, however, it should be borne in mind that they can also have a more pronounced negative effect on a person.
Rauchtopaz of light and golden colors has a more positive effect, but less pronounced.
Amulets can be made both in the form of jewelry for everyday wear, and in the form of decorative items.
For example, figurines symbolizing certain phenomena, gods and goddesses, as well as animals that personify these gods.
Products used for amulets can have an abstract form: this way the stone is less processed and carries more positive energy, protecting its owner.
When making a talisman, it is not recommended to cut a natural stone: this way it retains its healing and magical properties to a greater extent.
In folk medicine
As for the healing qualities of rauhquartz, they were first noticed there, in the East, and in particular in Tibet and Northern India. According to lithotherapeutic equipment, the energy of the smoky crystal is associated with the sacral chakra, therefore rauchtopaz is most effective in the treatment of sexual ailments (including even such serious diagnoses as uterine fibroids and prostate adenoma), diseases of the rectum, as well as problems of the musculoskeletal system.
In addition, rauchtopaz helps in the fight against addictions of a very different nature: chemical, gaming, food.
However, to fully appreciate the healing effects of a smoky gem, it is not enough to simply buy jewelry with a crystal and wear it. For a more powerful energetic interaction with rauchtopaz, it is necessary to use it during meditation. This will help cope with insomnia and stress, get rid of panic attacks, activate metabolism and get rid of swelling, which is extremely important for those losing weight.
Some lithotherapists recommend wearing a ring with rauchtopaz on the left index finger. It is believed that it is connected to the heart by a kind of meridian. And the mineral under discussion has the property of stimulating blood circulation.
Jewelry, how to wear?
Jewelry in which rauchtopaz is installed belongs to the middle price category and is available to most buyers.
This category also includes jewelry made from jasper, amber, and rose quartz. Before installing the rauchtopaz stone, it goes through a cutting stage; only in the case of making jewelry or a talisman from it, its original shape is left.
When choosing the type of decoration, you should know that a brown stone framed in silver looks most advantageous. Lighter shades of this stone look most advantageous in a white frame, while darker and richer tones look best in gold.
The dark green color will benefit when framed in a thin gold frame.
You can wear such jewelry as a set; however, even a single ring or earrings immediately attract the attention of connoisseurs of grace and beauty.
Application
Jewelry-quality rauchtopaz is used for inserts into jewelry (rings, pendants, earrings, pendants). The frame is usually made of silver and other white metals; gold is rare.
Jewelry with rauchtopaz also looks interesting.
This mineral is convenient for stone cutters to process. Figurines, figurines, as well as objects for esoteric and magical practices - balls, cylinders, pyramids, etc. are made from it.
4,500 carats the faceted egg is one of the largest pieces of smoky quartz ever created. It is kept in the Smithsonian Museum (USA).
Care
For care, it is enough to wipe the stone with a soft cloth when it becomes dirty, to prevent cracks and scratches from appearing on the edges.
However, this gem has a distinctively high strength, which makes it safe to care for even with the help of mechanical action: if it is heavily soiled, a product with this stone can be cleaned with a brush and a thick cloth.
You can wash the stone with water and a saturated soap solution, after which it should be rinsed with a sufficient amount of running water.
It is preferable to dry such a product in the sun: this way the stone will absorb more solar energy, which will give it greater richness and expressiveness.
Recommendations for wearing and care
The lunar calendar does not provide any time frame for the purchase of jewelry and amulets from rauchtopaz. As for caring for them, there are also no special rules. The main thing is not to neglect the care when wearing quartz trinkets, especially rings: this mineral is very fragile - minimize the likelihood of mechanical impact on the stone.
Prices for smoky quartz are not outrageous at all. A bead with a diameter of a centimeter will cost the buyer less than 100 rubles. Rauchtopaz crystals look most advantageous in combination with a gold frame.
How to distinguish from a fake?
Fake rauchtopaz can be made from ordinary glass, which is given a smoky or brownish tint.
Fake rauchtopaz stone does not have a radiant surface and color depth.
The color of a natural stone is combined with a certain degree of transparency of the mineral and richness of shade, which is not found in its fakes.
Every fan of beautiful gems should remember that although rauchtopaz is somewhat reminiscent of topaz in appearance and name, in reality it is an inexpensive quartz.
And attempts by the seller to pass off this mineral as a more expensive gemstone should be prevented by asking to provide a certificate for a specific product or stone, which will confirm its relation to this class of gems.
The differences between fake stone and natural stone are also the following:
- In fake or artificial rauchtopaz there are numerous air bubbles of a perfectly round shape, while in its natural version air can also be present, but not necessarily in the form of round inclusions.
- An artificial analogue of a stone often has rounded grooves visible to the eye on its surface, indicating the process of stone growth. There are no such grooves on natural stone.
The listed differences will allow you to distinguish a natural stone from an artificially grown one or from a fake.
