metamorphic

Quartz vein in dark host rock

Milky quartz (SiO₂) in an unidentified dark metamorphic host, possibly amphibolite or schist

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

The pale vein is opaque to translucent, white, and glassy to dull; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and a trigonal crystal structure, with no cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The dark host cannot be identified confidently from the image alone.

Identified October 4, 2026More metamorphic →

Explore Quartz vein in dark host rock in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly precipitates from silica-rich fluids into fractures; the host’s age and exact formation history cannot be determined from the photo.

Uses & applications

Commonly collected as a geological specimen; quartz veins may also be associated with industrial minerals or metal ores, though none are evident here.

Geological facts

Quartz veins can form during metamorphism or later hydrothermal activity and often cut across older host-rock fabric.

Field identification & locations

Look for a hard, pale vein that scratches glass and contrasts with the darker, possibly foliated host. Similar veins occur in metamorphic terranes worldwide; a fresh surface and locality would help identify the host.