not real "smoked" glass...it's NOT tinted dye and pressed glass...it's not glass with colorants then pressed...it is clear glass with black enamel/paint on the underside (which is bubbling off in places). It'd help if a template was provided for easier installation (just a rinky dink scrap o' paper with alignment marks for setting the screws)...kinda a p.i.a. to check vert. horiz. plumb lines etc when hanging two shelves with 4 tiny clamp jaw brackets...BUT...it works...fits in a tight spot...woulda preferred the clear glass but I can always sand or use paint stripper or naval jelly to remove the enamel...or stick in the sun and let it bubble off naturally...overall for the price of two shelves I'm ok with it.