metamorphic
Gold-bearing Quartz Ore
Auriferous Quartz (SiO2 + Au)
Hardness: 7 (Quartz) to 2.5 (Gold), Color: Smokey grey/white with metallic gold/yellow inclusions, Luster: Vitreous to Metallic, Crystal Structure: Trigonal, Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture in quartz).
- Hardness
- 7 (Quartz) to 2
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Gold-bearing Quartz Ore in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Quartz) to 2.5 (Gold), Color: Smokey grey/white with metallic gold/yellow inclusions, Luster: Vitreous to Metallic, Crystal Structure: Trigonal, Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture in quartz).
Formation & geological history
Formed via hydrothermal activity where mineral-rich hot fluids circulate through fissures in the crust, depositing gold and silica. Often associated with metamorphic schist or igneous intrusions.
Uses & applications
Primary source for gold extraction, industrial use in electronics, jewelry manufacturing, and geological research.
Geological facts
Most gold found in quartz veins is microscopic; visible 'free gold' specimens are highly prized by collectors. This piece shows disseminated metallic flakes in a dark silicate matrix.
Field identification & locations
Identified by the high specific gravity of gold inclusions and their inability to shatter when hit (malleability). Found in lode deposits in regions like California, Alaska, and Australia.
More like this
