Smoky Quartz Rings
&
Wedding Bands
Smoky quartz rings are by far the most affordable gemstone rings which will give you a lot of bang for your buck, and the smoky quartz gemstone is a low cost alternative to chocolate diamonds.
Smoky quartz ranges in colors from transparent light brown, to brown, to almost black, and faceted cuts yield a very striking look and style. Quartz rings are perfect for both men and woman, suitable for men's wedding bands and women's engagement and wedding rings, and this durable gemstone is easy to care for. Below you will find helpful info about smoky quartz to help you find the perfect ring including common enhancements, special care, price guide and shopping tips. Smoky Quartz Properties: Durability = Very Good
Hardness = 7.0
Refractive Index = 1.54 - 1.55
Specific Gravity = 2.65
The Meaning of the Smoky Quartz Gemstone: Smoky quartz is a gemstone that is most often associated with clearing the air; it is believed to transform negative energies to positive ones, to alleviate emotional upset, and to help the wearer be in the 'now' instead of living in the past.
Smoky Quartz Gemstone Enhancements: Colorless or lighter toned quartz is often irradiated (label R) to create smoky quartz; this type of enhancement has an excellent stability rating, and it is almost impossible to tell which stones are natural and which have been irradiated using gemological equipment. - Some smoky quartz stones are heat treated (label E or H) to produce a very even uniform color throughout the stone; this type of enhancement has a stability rating of good.
- Unless otherwise stated, shoppers should assume that their smoky quartz has been irradiated or heat treated.
Special Care for Smoky Quartz Rings: A durable quartz ring requires little care, but you should avoid harsh household chemicals and steam cleaning. As smoky quartz can scratch if exposed to hard substances, it should not be worn during heavy labor activities.
Smoky Quartz Resources: The most active sources for smoky quartz are located in Africa, Brazil, Madagascar, Switzerland, and the U.S. (Colorado). Switzerland produces a very beautiful warm-colored type of smoky quartz known as "Cairngorm" quartz; another notable type of smoky quartz is the dark yet translucent "Morion" quartz. Note: Smoky quartz is sometimes sold as 'smoky topaz' but this term is incorrect and frowned upon in professional gemological circles. Smoky Quartz Price Guide: For faceted cut stones, smoky quartz is on average around $20.00 per carat. However, the price for a smoky quartz ring can substantially increase based on the metal and workmanship of the ring that the stone has been set in. Smoky quartz is valued first and foremost by its cut; a custom cut smoky quartz ring which displays a high reflective brilliance and facets of color is much more highly valued than a ring with commercial cut stones. Following cut, smoky quartz is valued on it's clarity, carat size, and color.
Some smoky quartz gemstones contain minute needle like inclusions that some people find attractive, but for the purposes of a quality ring - a high grade clarity smoky quartz should be used. As this type of gemstone comes in many colors, color has little effect on the value of the stone. Carat does not have a huge impact on the price of smoky quartz rings or smoky quartz wedding rings, and regardless of the gemstone's size the average cost of $20.00 per carat holds. Smoky Quartz Shopping Tips: Due to the availability and affordability of smoky quartz, there are not many synthetic forms of smoky quartz on the market today. Buyers instead should focus on the stone's cut, enhancements, and color preference. Natural smoky quartz of a quality uniform color and clarity is much more desirable than treated quartz, but some sellers are not always honest with their treatment labels. If you are on the lookout for a ring made with natural smoky quartz, here's a tip: natural smoky quartz usually always has some kind of color shade variation within the stone, and is often darker at the base - enhanced smoky quartz has a perfect uniform color. As with all other types of jewelry, never buy a smoky quartz ring without a no-nonsense refund policy, and always stick with a jewelry seller that has a verifiable reputation and contact information.
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