kvarcveinben

Kvarcveinben is a geological feature consisting of quartz-filled fractures in rocks, commonly referred to in English as quartz veins. These vein bodies can range from thin sheets to thicker, tabular bodies and may display a variety of textures, from clear crystals to milky or banded masses.

Formation occurs when silica-rich fluids move through fractures in rock, depositing quartz as conditions change during hydrothermal activity. This typically happens in regions affected by igneous activity or regional metamorphism. Veins may form as single bodies or as interconnected networks, and the quartz can crystallize as well-formed crystals or as finer-grained, drusy assemblages. In many localities, quartz veins occur with accompanying minerals such as calcite, fluorite, barite, and sulfides, and they may host ore minerals including gold or silver.

Occurrences are widespread in a range of rock types, including granites, gneisses, and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. Quartz veins are of particular interest in economic geology because they can host valuable ore deposits and have historically been mined for metals in some districts. Outside of mining, vein quartz is valued by collectors and is used as a decorative stone and gemstone material in some forms.

Common properties of kvarcveinben include a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, conchoidal fracture, and a glassy to vitreous luster. Color is typically colorless to white, but impurities can yield smoky, pink, purple, or rose-colored varieties such as amethyst or milky quartz. The study of quartz veins provides insights into past hydrothermal processes and the geological history of their host rocks.