metamorphic
Quartz-veined Metamorphic Rock
Quartz Vein in Phyllite or Schist (SiO2 in Silicate Matrix)
Hardness: 7 for quartz, 3-5 for matrix; Color: White/creamy vein, dark grey/green host; Luster: Vitreous to greasy on quartz; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (quartz) in foliated matrix.
- Hardness
- 7 for quartz, 3-5 for matrix
- Color
- White/creamy vein, dark grey/green host
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy on quartz
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 for quartz, 3-5 for matrix; Color: White/creamy vein, dark grey/green host; Luster: Vitreous to greasy on quartz; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (quartz) in foliated matrix.
Formation & geological history
Formed through regional metamorphism where silica-rich fluids were injected into fractures in host rock under high pressure and temperature, cooling to form crystalline veins.
Uses & applications
Predominantly used as architectural stone or garden landscaping; sometimes crushed for industrial silica depending on purity.
Geological facts
Quartz veins are often the primary targets for gold prospectors, as hydrothermal fluids that deposit quartz often transport gold and other precious metals.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for the contrast between the hard, glassy white mineral and the darker, layered host rock. Found in mountain belts and riverbeds worldwide.
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