History and origin
It is not easy to single out a specific place where rauchtopaz was first found and studied. Its name comes from the German word “rauch” (pronounced rauh), which translates as “smoke.” Hence its other, well-known name - smoky quartz. By the way, the stone is not a type of topaz, but due to its appearance it was classified as a variety of this stone. Later it turned out that this is quartz, so rauchtopaz is more often called smoky quartz, but the original name remained familiar. Although you can often hear another name - rauhquartz.
It is also known that rauchtopaz has long been called “Cairngorm” - the mountain of the same name in Scotland, where this type of stone was mined for use as decoration for highlanders’ clothing.
Another name for rauchtopaz is Hair of Venus. This is how it was nicknamed due to another variety - smoky quartz with rutile. The fact is that in the appearance of the stone there are stripes that differ in color from the main one. These stripes are very similar to real hair, hence the name, which gained popularity during the reign of Catherine II.
In general, in Russia people paid attention to this stone around the Middle Ages, when Ural craftsmen managed to modify its original appearance. The stone was rolled into dough and baked in an oven. It became golden due to the influence of temperature and other conditions. Its value increased after these manipulations.
It also bore the name of the Buddha Stone among the Indian and Tibetan people.
Rauchtopaz stone's properties are suitable for the zodiac sign Capricorn, Scorpio and Libra, since it has quite strong properties, not everyone is able to cope with them, because the crystal has truly mysterious powers that will take the wearer to the other world.
physical characteristics
For a very long time it was considered a type of topaz. However, they later found out that it was quartz. Belongs to the quartz family. Therefore, he took the main properties from ordinary quartz. The color is affected by the amount of metal impurities of iron and aluminum. Haze is determined by the amount of silicon dioxide, which is the basis of quartz.
Natural radiation changes the color and shade of the crystal.
Scientists came to this decision after detailed laboratory studies. They studied the relationship between deposits and the shade of the stone. Crystal becomes smoky and turns into rauchtopaz under the influence of radiation. The mined crystals have the shape of a hexagonal prism. They have the property of changing color when a ray of light passes through. They are piezoelectric.
The hardness of rauchtopaz is like ordinary glass. Quite fragile. They are processed with hard minerals: topaz, diamond, tools with hard coating.
When heated above 300 degrees, smoky quartz loses color.
Physicochemical characteristics
It has already been noted more than once that rauchtopaz is a type of quartz. Its composition often contains impurities of iron and aluminum. The color range varies in shades of brown. The color of the rauchtopaz trait is white. It has a glassy sheen at the fractures, sometimes so-called greasy reflections. The crystal has a transparent appearance, objects can be seen through it. In terms of hardness, the mineral is very brittle. It has uneven, asymmetrical fractures, which are called conchoidal. The symmetry is trigonal, sometimes trigonal-trapezohedral. The density of smoky quartz is 2.52-2.65 g/cm³.
Where is it mined?
A fairly common gem. They are mined everywhere, every continent has a deposit. The extraction process is not complicated. The crystals are quite strong, hard, and occur in large clusters. They are located inside quartz veins. Individual samples cannot be extracted without special equipment. Their weight can be more than 200 kg, and their length is more than 1 meter. There is information about finds weighing more than a ton.
The largest deposit is considered to be the Brazilian deposit, where the bulk of nuggets for jewelry processing are found.
Interesting samples are mined in America, fused crystals or druses, resembling branches that grow from the same base. There are known mining sites in Namibia, Germany, Russia, Madagascar, and Spain. Asian countries also have deposits in India and China. Currently, only Antarctica has no known quartz deposits.
Raw smoky quartz.
Application area
Rauchtopaz, also known as smoky quartz, is widely used in the field of jewelry and decorations. There is a special classification of stones - precious and semi-precious - named after A. Fersman and M. Bauer. Based on this classification, rauchtopaz is an ornamental stone of the first order. To more clearly understand its value, following this information, it can be noted that this also includes rock crystal (a relative of rauchtopaz), malachite, jade, agate, lapis lazuli and other stones.
It is worth noting that light varieties of smoky quartz are used in jewelry, and intergrowths of this mineral often decorate the displays of mineralogical exhibitions.
Quartz products, both jewelry and fakes, are part of many private collections of lovers of such things. The appearance and properties of the rauchtopaz stone help the wearer achieve peace.
RELEVANT: Serpentine stone – a source of good luck
Colors
The color range of rauchtopaz varies within the range of brown – from translucent smoky to almost brown. However, there is also a black version of smoky quartz; it even has a separate name - morion. In nature, untreated rauchtopaz is never found as a solid color; it is saturated at the very base, as if in the depths of it, and stretches to the crown. The base often has defects, cracks and bubbles that scatter the shades to lighter ones. However, after processing rauchtopaz, after heating to 450 degrees, its color disappears. The mineral becomes transparent and colorless. Smoky quartz contains an admixture of aluminum, which affects the main color of the crystal.
Varieties of rauchtopaz
In nature, rauchtopases occur in several shades, the intensity of which depends on the factors of natural irradiation of the mineral or the method of its subsequent processing. This:
- A light gray gem that can be turned into citrine by thermal exposure (up to 300 ° C).
- A mineral whose shade varies from purple to green. With certain processing, it has the effect of pleochroism, in which the color of the stone changes when rotated when rays of light fall on its faces at different angles.
- Dark brown rauchtopaz. This shade is most often found in nature and is used by jewelers to create elegant jewelry at a low price. The correct cut allows you to turn smoky quartz into transparent or golden, giving it the properties of pleochroism.
- Almost black rauchtopaz, often called morion. It is a favorite of witches, magicians and warlocks, since the darker the mineral, the stronger its mystical properties. The use of a black gem helps to communicate with spirits, see the past and correct the future.
Also read: Demantoid - a precious gem of the ancient Russian nobility
Magic properties
Rauchtopaz is a stone that is credited with magical properties. It is able to absorb negativity, while revealing the creative potential of the wearer. It aims to attract creative people. Rauchtopaz, working as a talisman, develops the natural abilities of the wearer, nourishes him with good luck, and helps accumulate wisdom.
Smoky quartz is widely popular among people interested in esotericism and practicing magic. They claim that this particular mineral is most suitable for magical rituals and ceremonies; its effectiveness in the field of dark magic is noted. Rauchtopaz is recommended for people with the inclinations of mystical abilities, for example psychics, to develop and hone their skills. Among other things, eyewitnesses claim that rauchtopaz affects dreams and makes ordinary meditation more colorful. In order for it to work, smoky quartz is placed under the pillow of the sleeper, which will result in a prophetic dream. Moreover, in the old days, when the stone was not yet well studied, and attendance at spiritualistic séances was common among people, smoky topaz was in great demand. Hence the belief that not everyone can use this stone, but people who are strong in will and spirit.
Rauchtopaz clears thoughts, calms nerves, promoting a flow of pure thoughts that do not expose the wearer to anxiety. Mystics and esotericists readily use this, but ordinary people who have nothing to do with magic are a little afraid of it. It is believed that smoky quartz can transport a person's consciousness to the other world, and people clearly feel this, so some may seriously avoid the mineral.
Smoky quartz is used as a talisman by creative individuals when they find the “road” into their special inner world. It evokes inspiration and attracts the muse. Among other things, it increases the wearer’s self-esteem, strengthening his self-confidence and developing charm. But it can “put pressure” on other people, so it is important to remember that such people are prohibited from wearing it all the time, because they cannot cope with the influence of the stone.
Talismans and amulets
Rauchtopaz is a stone of flight of thought. It erases the boundaries of space, helping a person penetrate into the most intimate corners of his inner world. It develops imagination and helps you find inspiration. It lifts the veil of the other world, making it possible to draw information from it, while protecting its owner from attacks of all kinds of entities. It helps you concentrate, isolate yourself from what is happening in the real world and go to the astral plane.
It is recommended for people of the following professions and hobbies to have this stone with them:
- Creative - writers, poets, actors, musicians, artists, screenwriters, sculptors and anyone else whose work requires inspiration.
- Mystical - fortune tellers, clairvoyants, psychics, fortune tellers, spiritualists and so on.
- Spirituals - those who are interested in yoga during meditation, monks during prayer.
When deciding to purchase an amulet with rauchtopaz, you should definitely look at its compatibility with a specific zodiac sign, since it is not suitable for everyone.
Also, talismans, amulets and amulets with rauchtopaz enhance intuition and help find a way out even in very confusing situations. They protect their owner from any influence of evil forces directed both from people and from the universe itself. At decisive moments, smoky quartz helps to sense deception, bring out envious people and ill-wishers, and also make the right choice. It accumulates feminine energy, helps ladies become softer, more restrained and calmer.
Therefore, it is also recommended to have rauchtopaz with you:
- Businessmen, especially at the time of concluding deals and making important decisions.
- Representatives of the fair sex in any purely female occupation - when raising or teaching children, cooking, knitting, sewing, cleaning, and so on.
Rauchtopaz is a stone that matches your zodiac sign
Rauchtopaz's properties are suitable for Capricorns, Libra and Scorpios. In this case, Capricorns are those representatives of the zodiac signs who are able to cope with the power and influence of smoky quartz. And the most important thing is that they not only cope with the stone, but also direct all its properties in the right direction, like no one else. For Libra, the mineral is good because it balances this sign, and having such harmony, a Libra representative can cope with almost anything. Scorpios themselves are quite a strong-willed sign, but rauchtopaz will not allow Scorpio to break down or engage in self-flagellation. Therefore, such a strong-willed person is a worthy bearer of the stone.
RELEVANT: Which stone is suitable for Leos
The Rauchtopaz stone with its magical properties is quite suitable for most zodiac signs, but with a certain condition. Products made from smoky quartz cannot be worn constantly by other representatives of the zodiac, except for those mentioned above. If the owner of rauchtopaz has a figurine made of this material, it should be kept in plain sight, but not too close to the person. That is, neither on the bedside table, nor on the desk, but somewhere on a shelf.
Meaning for humans
Rauchtopaz is one of the most unusual stones in terms of its properties; it is not for nothing that it is called the “Buddha stone” . This mineral is an excellent amulet that can protect against damage to health caused by magic.
It not only helps repel a magical attack, but also redirects the negative impact to the one who has bad plans for the owner of the stone.
Rauchtopaz is valued for its calming effect if its owner is easily excitable, unbalanced, stressed or overly sensitive. The stone should be worn by people with mental disorders and those prone to depression or suicide - the mineral awakens interest in life, helps to correctly identify one’s personality and position.
The stone has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver, pancreas, and adrenal glands. It helps to get rid of various kinds of addictions, in particular from alcohol or drugs. The pebble is recommended to be worn regularly by people wishing to conceive a child and suffering from diseases of the reproductive system.
Combination with name
Rauchtopaz is equally suitable for men and women. All the power of the stone comes not so much from the origin and place of a person in the world, but rather from his character, level of anxiety and tension. This mineral is wonderful for people who are passionate about creativity, but at the same time dangerous for those who are experiencing a creative crisis - a weak will is too susceptible to the intoxicating energy of rauchtopaz. Smoky quartz is needed by people who are contradictory, as well as those who are able to see something more than everyday life and the daily bustle. Rauchtopaz is a stone of soulful people who are passionate about life and its wonderful phenomena.
Medicinal properties
Rauchtopaz, like many precious and semi-precious stones, also has medicinal properties. It is used in massage using stones, cleansing a person and his aura from the negative effects of the environment. In addition, it affects the electromagnetic field, helping it to come to a calm, neutral state.
Nature has endowed smoky quartz with fertility, or more precisely, the ability to influence the duration of the human race. In other words, minerals help restore the weakened physical health of both men and women in the area of reproduction. For men, it cures infertility, gives them natural strength, increasing potency. To do this, representatives of the stronger half of humanity must wear rauchtopaz in the form of jewelry in contact with the body, for example, in the form of an amulet or pendant. For women, it also restores reproductive functions, removes natural blocks that affect infertility, and increases healthy libido. In order for rauchtopaz to have a healing effect on a woman, she should frame the stone in silver and wear it indefinitely.
Smoky quartz increases the willpower of a weakened person who suffers from addiction to addictions such as drugs and smoking. The stone forces the kidneys and pancreas to function properly. If you regularly wear the mineral and really want to give up one addiction or another, rauchtopaz will tune the wearer’s thoughts in the right way, and will also cleanse his head and body from the negative influence of notorious habits.
The analgesic effect of rauchtopaz is also noted. To begin with, it is warmed in the palms of the hands, then applied, for example, to the temples throbbing with pain. Considering that the mineral has a positive effect on a person’s thought process, clearing his mind, practically filtering the flow of thoughts, during times of severe stress and nervous overstrain you should spend some time (we are talking about regular use of stones for several days) next to smoky quartz figures, or carry a crystal or amulet with you.
Rauchtopaz is a valuable treatment
The East, Northern India and Tibet are famous for the use of rauchtopaz for medicinal purposes. Therapy is of great importance for severe pain and lies in the effect of the mineral on the sacral chakra.
It provides:
- normalization of the digestive system;
- removing toxins and other harmful substances from the body;
- relieves increased excitability, nervousness, smoothes out emotional outbursts;
- maintenance of the musculoskeletal system;
- beneficial effect on the condition of the male and female reproductive systems;
- elimination of severe pain;
- restoration of nervous activity.
Crystal helps in the treatment of alcohol dependence, drug addiction, and in the fight against smoking.
When treating serious diseases, you should not rely only on lithotherapy; it is considered an auxiliary remedy and without additional procedures will not help overcome the disease.
The healing properties of rauchtopaz need to be supported by traditional medicine
Who is not suitable for rauchtopaz?
As noted, rauchtopaz is a stone with properties suitable for the zodiac sign Libra, Scorpio and Capricorn. But it is categorically contraindicated for representatives of crayfish. The fact is that this sign has an overly sensitive mental organization; they are perhaps the calmest among the rest. Therefore, they do not need to balance or pacify anything. It follows that rauchtopaz will only undermine the stability of cancer and destroy its inner peace. Daredevils who dared to use smoky topaz reported increased stress and nervous strain. Therefore, even if a Cancer really likes a product made from rauchtopaz, he should refrain from purchasing and wearing it.
RELEVANT: Labradorite – the magical properties of the stone
Use in jewelry (and stone processing)
Around the end of the 19th century, they learned to process and use rauchtopaz in the form of crafts and jewelry. The most common cut of rauchtopaz is step and diamond. For this purpose, light tones of smoky quartz are often used to later be framed in silver, turning it into jewelry, for example, a finger ring or a wrist bracelet. The stone is handled with extreme care, avoiding strong impacts and overheating. It is fragile enough to be handled harshly and will lose color when overheated.
Jewelry with mineral
Jewelers use rauchtopaz quite widely, as the stone looks impressive and is relatively inexpensive. Natural stones decorate pendants and brooches, necklaces and bracelets, earrings and rings.
Brown minerals are used to decorate figurines and other decorative items. Balls or eggs carved from gemstones look impressive and stylish, worthy of decorating the most sophisticated interior or becoming an integral part of a practicing magician’s office.
The cost of jewelry with stone is low and largely depends on what kind of metal the rauchtopaz is framed in. For example, today you can buy elegant gold earrings with noble gems for 0 rubles, and a silver ring that can become an effective talisman for 2,000 rubles.
Compatibility with other stones
Rauchtopaz stone has properties similar to other representatives of the quartz variety - rose quartz, rock crystal. It is well compatible with fire stones, rubies and diamonds, as well as dark garnet colors. As a representative of air minerals, rauchtopaz is neutral to earth stones - turquoise, jasper, agate and others. Smoky quartz does not welcome water stones - moonstone, aquamarine, pearl, as well as alexandrite, opal and others.
Place of Birth
Smoky quartz is found on all continents, but the most noteworthy deposits of the mineral are located in Brazil. More than half of all gems with jewelry value are mined here.
Stones with excellent characteristics are mined in Madagascar and Namibia, in the USA and Germany, in the Alps (Switzerland) and in Spain. The minerals that are found in the Urals, the famous homeland of gems, are also famous.
How to wear and care
If the wearer wears jewelry with rauchtopaz for the purpose of pacification, then he should wear the stone in places with large crowds of people, or to meetings where a tense situation is expected. Rauchtopaz will contribute to the moral balance of the owner. Further, jewelry can be worn for beauty, but not often; owners should “take a break” from the stone. If you have a goal to improve your health, you need to choose an amulet that will come into contact with your body and skin. It should be worn regularly, but not all the time. You can use crafts and keep them nearby for a while.
Rauchtopaz loves air, but not direct sunlight. It should not be locked in a box with decorations, but it should not be left in the sun either. The stone can be removed to a secluded place so that both the owner and the mineral itself can rest from each other, while the healing properties of rauchtopaz are absorbed in a person, and the stone itself dispels the accumulated negativity and is charged with the necessary strength.
How to distinguish a fake?
It is extremely easy to distinguish original rauchtopaz from a fake. Firstly, the stone is inexpensive and there is no point in creating its artificial analogues. And secondly, there is a simple method that you can use when buying jewelry. You will need a magnifying glass and a minute of time.
It is necessary to examine the stone, or rather, the bubbles inside it. In a banal piece of glass, air inclusions will have a standard round shape. In a real gem, you can see small droplets of unusual shapes and different sizes. It is best to purchase jewelry with minerals from official manufacturers rather than trust unknown jewelry companies.
What is the price
Depending on the product, its cut shape, for example square, pear-shaped, heart-shaped, the number of carats and the weight of the product, the price can vary on average from 1,000 to 10,000 rubles. For example, the stones themselves, weighing 30 carats, measuring 22 by 16 mm and rectangular in shape, originally from India, will cost 2,500 rubles. A product in the form of an Icon of the Mother of God measuring 16 by 14 mm can be purchased for 5,000 rubles. If the stones are set in silver or gold, then the price will be slightly more expensive. The stone itself is quite affordable, the only thing that matters is where it came from, often Brazil or India.
