Where is Veined Slate found?
Slate (metamorphic rock with quartz veins)
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Open the appVeined Slate occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Veined Slate
Wales, United Kingdom
Famous for its high-quality slate, including veined varieties, from Cambrian and Ordovician sequences.
Vermont, United States
The Taconic Mountains region is known for its diverse slate deposits, often exhibiting quartz veining.
Brazil
Minas Gerais state has significant slate quarries, some of which contain quartz veins.
Spain
Galicia and León regions are major slate producers, with occurrences of veined slate.
China
Various provinces, particularly in the south, have extensive slate resources, including veined types.
Collecting tips
- Look for Outcrops. Search in areas known for regional metamorphism, especially in road cuts, stream beds, and quarry exposures where the rock is freshly broken.
- Identify Slaty Cleavage. Confirm the rock is slate by its ability to split into thin, parallel sheets. Then, look for distinct, lighter-colored bands or lenses cutting across this cleavage.
- Examine Vein Composition. Scratch the vein material with a steel knife; if it's quartz, it will be harder (Mohs 7) and will not scratch easily, distinguishing it from calcite veins (Mohs 3).
- Observe Vein Orientation. Note how the veins relate to the slaty cleavage and any relict bedding. This can provide insights into the deformational history.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Dark grey, black, green, purple, red with white/translucent veins
- Luster:
- Dull to sub-vitreous (slate), vitreous (quartz veins)
- Streak:
- White to light grey (for the slate matrix, if tested on an unweathered surface; quartz has no streak)
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