Smokey Quartz was revered by cultures such as the Celts and Romans, who believed it possessed protective qualities. Roman soldiers often carried it into battle as a talisman for shielding against harm.

Spiritually, Smokey Quartz is valued for its grounding properties. Many practitioners of alternative medicine and spirituality use it for cleansing and balancing the energy centres of the body, or chakras. It is believed to promote clarity of thought and dispel negative energies.

The colour of Smokey Quartz varies from pale grey to deep brown, depending on the presence and concentration of trace elements like aluminium and iron within the crystal lattice. 

Smokey Quartz deposits can be found in several countries, including Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and Scotland. Brazilian Smokey Quartz is particularly prized for its clarity and depth of colour, while Scottish Smokey Quartz often exhibits a unique smoky hue due to its geological formation.