metamorphic

Quartz vein in greenstone

Milky quartz (SiO₂) cutting metamorphosed mafic rock, likely greenschist or amphibolite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

The central white vein is milky, massive quartz; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, vitreous luster, and no cleavage. The dark green-gray host is fine-grained and foliated, likely containing chlorite, amphibole, and feldspar; its exact minerals cannot be confirmed visually.

Identified September 28, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz-rich fluids filled a fracture in older mafic rock, then crystallized; the host was metamorphosed under heat and pressure. The rock’s age and exact metamorphic conditions cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Commonly collected as a vein specimen; quartz may be used in glass, electronics, and decorative stone. The host rock has limited ornamental or aggregate use.

Geological facts

The sharp contrast between white quartz and green-gray host rock makes the vein easy to see; fractures and shear zones commonly channel quartz-bearing fluids.

Field identification & locations

Look for a hard, glassy white vein cutting a darker, often foliated rock; quartz should scratch glass. Quartz veins occur in many metamorphic and hydrothermal terrains worldwide.