metamorphic
Quartz Vein in Metamorphic Rock
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) within Metasedimentary host
Hardness: 7 (quartz) vs 4-6 (host); Color: White, grey, and green; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Massive veins; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 (quartz) vs 4-6 (host)
- Color
- White, grey, and green
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (quartz) vs 4-6 (host); Color: White, grey, and green; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Massive veins; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed through hydrothermal processes where silica-rich fluids filled fractures in a host rock during regional metamorphism. Often found in orogenic belts where tectonic pressure and heat are high.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a decorative specimen or landscaping material; larger deposits are mined for high-purity silica in industrial manufacturing.
Geological facts
Quartz veins are often 'indicator' rocks for gold prospectors, as gold is frequently deposited by the same hydrothermal fluids that carry the silica.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for white, crystalline bands cutting through a darker, often foliated host rock. Extremely common in riverbeds and mountainous terrain.
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