metamorphic

Gneiss with Quartz Vein

Metamorphic Gneiss with Quartz (SiO2) and Feldspar Injection

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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

Identified July 23, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

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.