What is Morion?
Morion gives quartz a dramatic, almost obsidian-like presence while retaining crystal faces and natural transparency at the edges. Its darkness is most attractive when a documented locality and clean prism make the internal colour easy to see.
Mineralogy and crystal structure
Reference formula: SiO2. Morion is a very dark smoky quartz variety, coloured by irradiation-related defects and trace elements. The structure is the quartz host model; the variety name describes colour and appearance rather than a separate mineral species. Morion is classified with silicates and has a trigonal crystal system. Typical hardness is 7–7 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 2.6–2.7.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include black, smoky brown, brown. The usual prismatic, massive, drusy habit and vitreous lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Morion forms in or is associated with silica-rich hydrothermal veins, cavities in igneous rocks and pegmatites. Important documented localities include the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Brazil, Madagascar, Russia and the United States.
Black quartz with a smoky depth
Morion gives quartz a dramatic, almost obsidian-like presence while retaining crystal faces and natural transparency at the edges. Its darkness is most attractive when a documented locality and clean prism make the internal colour easy to see.
Collecting and care
Hard but brittle at edges; protect points from impact and avoid sudden thermal shock or harsh cleaning.
