metamorphic
Gneiss with Quartz Vein
Metamorphic Gneiss with Quartz (SiO2) and Feldspar Injection
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Dark grey, greenish-black, white, pinkish-orange spots; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Texture: Medium to coarse-grained, showing foliation and a distinct quartz vein insert.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Dark grey, greenish-black, white, pinkish-orange spots
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Dark grey, greenish-black, white, pinkish-orange spots; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Texture: Medium to coarse-grained, showing foliation and a distinct quartz vein insert.
Formation & geological history
Formed under high-grade regional metamorphism subjecting granite, schist, or sedimentary rocks to extreme heat and pressure, often intersected by hydrothermal quartz fluids.
Uses & applications
Used in crushed stone for construction, aggregate, decorative garden stones, and landscape rock decor.
Geological facts
The distinct white band is a hydrothermal quartz vein that intruded into fractures of the host rock after or during metamorphic deformation.
Field identification & locations
Look for alternating dark metamorphic mineral bands (biotite/amphibole) with a cross-cutting white milky quartz patch. Common in glaciated riverbeds, beaches, and mountain ranges worldwide.
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