The Carlsbad Law twin produces what appears to be two intergrown crystals growing in opposite directions. Two different twin laws, the Manebach and Baveno laws, produce crystals with one prominant mirror plane and penetrant angles or notches into the crystal. Single crystals showing a perfect twin are rare and are often collected by twin fanciers. Well formed crystals can be quite striking in appearance. At some localities fine amazonite clusters are intermixed with smoky quartz crystals and this results in an outstanding classic mineral specimen.
Color is usually off-white,yellowish, flesh pink, brown or green.
Luster is vitreous to sometimes pearly or dull if weathered. Transparency crystals are translucent, but usually translucent to opaque. Crystals have a nearly rectangular or square cross-section with slightly slanted dome and pinacoid terminations. Twinning is common. Crystals can be twinned according to the Albite, Pericline, Carlsbad, Manebach and Baveno laws.