metamorphic
Quartz Vein Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite with Quartz Vein (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from brown to reddish-brown with a distinct white quartz vein cutting through it, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal structure within individual quartz grains, indistinct cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from brown to reddish-brown with a distinct white quartz vein cutting through it, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal structure within individual quartz grains, indistinct cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone or chert is subjected to high heat and tectonic pressure (regional metamorphism), causing quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse tightly. The prominent white vein represents a later hydrothermal event where silica-rich fluids filled a fracture and crystallized.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in landscaping, decorative gravel, and as a durable aggregate in construction. It is also collected by rockhounds and lapidary hobbyists for tumbling and carving.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering, which is why it often survives long transport in riverbeds and glacial deposits to become smooth pebbles, frequently retaining contrasting veins of younger minerals.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass easily), conchoidal fracture, and lack of reaction to acid. The presence of a contrasting quartz vein makes field identification straightforward for striking, banded pebbles found in glacial drift and river gravels.
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