metamorphic
Quartz vein in metamorphic rock
Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) in Host Rock
Hardness: 7 (Quartz component); Color: White to translucent milky quartz with grey/green host rock; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
- Hardness
- 7 (Quartz component)
- Color
- White to translucent milky quartz with grey/green host rock
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Quartz component); Color: White to translucent milky quartz with grey/green host rock; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed via hydrothermal activity where silica-rich fluids were injected into fractures of a host rock under high pressure and temperature, later cooling to crystallize. Common in orogenic belts.
Uses & applications
Industrial use for silica production; quartz is used in electronics (oscillators), glassmaking, and frequently as a collector specimen.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Vein quartz often acts as a host for precious metals like gold in 'mother lode' deposits.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. Look for the distinct contrast between the white crystalline quartz and the darker, foliated metamorphic background matrix.
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