Economic Geology Vol 90, 1995,pp.

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QUARTZ TEXTURES IN EPITHERMAL VEINS, QUEENSLAND--CLASSIFICATION,

ORIGIN, AND IMPLICATION

GuoYI DONG,GREGG MORRISON*, ANDSUBHASH JAIRETH**

Department of Earth Sciences, James CookUniversity of NorthQueensland, Townsville 4811,Australia

formation andfluidconditions, andtoexplore therelationship quartz textures andgoldmineralization on a broad In hydrothermal veins, quartz is a dominant gangue min- between scale. A systematic evaluation of three-dimensional distribueralandis typically the only phase deposited throughout the tion of quartz textures and textural assemblages in selected lifeofthehydrothermal system. Therefore, thecharacteristics systems andthereby the textural zoning model of quartz--itsmorphology, crystal structure, chemical com- epithermal will be presented in another paper. position, andphysicochemical properties--might reflect difused in thisstudy werecollected fering hydrothermal conditions during veingrowth, including Mostof the spedmens from the late Paleozoie epithermal veins of north Queensland, those which favor goldmineralization. Regional tectonic andmetallogenic studies (MorManymodern techniques are beingusedto characterizeAustralia. 1992a, b;Walshe etal., 1995) suggest most of theveins veinquartz and todistinguish mineralized quartz frombarren rison, of a Carboniferous continental quartz, e.g.,fluidinclusions (Roedder, 1984;Sherlock etal., formedduringdestruction magmatic are. They are hosted largely in volcano-sedimentary 1993),oxygen isotopes (Rye and Rye, 1974;Matsuhisa et rocks of andesitie to rhyolitie composition. Deal., 1985), electron paramagnetic resonance (VanMoortand andvolcanic tailed work on representative deposits (Digweed, 1991; Tare Russell,1987), cathodoluminescence (Nickel, 1978), thermoBobis etal., 1995; Worsley, 1995)hasdefined a luminescence (Sankaran etal., 1983; Hochmanetal., 1984), et al., 1992; late Paleozoie epithermal province in north Queensland with traceelements analyses (Anufriyev etal., 1973),mass specfeatures similar to theTertiary province ofthewestern trometry of thethermally released gas (Barker andRobinson, many United States (Morrison, 1992a, b). All the deposits included 1984), infrared (Wu and Yu, 1987), and microstructural feain this study are of the adularia-serieite type in the classificatures(Stenina etal., 1989).In general, all these techniques tion of Heald etal. (1987). have metwithmixed success, anda fewofthedistinguishing features formineralized and barren quartz have been defined. Classification of Quartz Textures However, highcost, difficulty withinterpreting data, andlimiA classification of quartztextures in epithermal veinsis tations in experimental equipment inhibit most ofthese techdeveloped from a review of the available descriptive literature niques aseffective andeconomical exploration tools. of approximately 400 spedmens and 150 There isa fundamental way' to characterize veinquartz, i.e., and observation from morethan 20 epithermal deposits and the morphology of quartzandits aggregates. Adams (1920) thin sections Thirteenquartztextures are defined (Fig. 1) on was thefirstto propose a detailed description of thecommon prospects. of mutual geometrical relations among individual microscopic characteristics ofveinquartz. Hispaper has been the basis or crystal aggregates, and/or theinternal features of the most valuable base for subsequent studies on textures of crystals, grains. Mostof the textures described arereadily veinquartz. Theworkof Spurr (1926), Shaub (1934), Stillwell individual in handspecimens. A few,however, canonlybe (1950), Lovering (1972), Boyle(1979), Sanderand Black identified viewed under the microscope. The majority of textural terms (1988), andSaunders (1990), among others, also considered in thisclassification areadopted fromexisting terminolthe character of quartzin specific environments. Recently, used modification where necessary. Dowling andMorrison (1990)undertook an investigation of ogywithsome Thisstudy deals only withlowquartz (Phillips andGriffen, quartz textures in various types of hydrothermal veins in north 1981). Based on the size of individual grains it can be subdiQueensland anddeveloped a general quartz textural classificamicrocrystalline, and eryptotion.Eleventextures weredefined andgrouped to evaluate videdinto:(macro)crystalline, (Bates andJackson, 1987).Chalcedony refers to four gold-mineralizing environments (i.e., epithermal, por- crystalline quartz, either withfibrous or granular habit phyry, plutohie, andslate belt),each with a distinct quartz eryptoerystalline (Phillips andGriffen,1981).Theseterms will be applied in textural assemblage associated withgold mineralization. description for some quartz textures. In thelightof thisgeneral success, moredetailed workon the following quartztextures in epithermal veins, wherethereis a wide Massive range of quartz textures, was carried outin thepresent study. Themain themes ofthispaper areto develop a unified classi- Thisis a general termthatrefers to quartz veins which have fication of common quartztextures in epithermal veins, to a moreor less homogeneous appearance over wideareas and understand theirpossible origins in terms oftheprocesses of display anabsence ofbanding, shear fractures, orsimilar features.
Crustiform
* Present address: Klondike Exploration Services, 7 MaryStreet, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
** Present address:Mineral ResourcesBranch, Bureau of Mineral ResourcesCanberra, A.C.T. 2600, Australia.

Introduction

The termerustiform is analogous to erustifieation banding described by Adams(1920), Lindgren(1933),and Shaub (1934). Thistexture involves successive, narrow (upto a few

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centimeters), andsubparallel bands whichare distinguished slight optical differences in maximum extinction positions. This by differences in texture, mineral proportions, and/or color. texture isusually welldeveloped onthemargins ofquartz crystals Commonly, banding is symmetrically developed fromboth witha deareuheclral core(Fig.3b) or aspatches throughout walls of a fissure (Fig.%). quartz crystals (Fig.3e).The term"feathery" is adopted from Cockade: Thisis a subtype of erustiform texture, as de- Adams (1920), and a simfiar texture has been reported bySander scribed previously by Taber in Adams(199.0) and Spurt andBlack (1988), whocalled it "plumose." (199.6). In breeeias, concentric erustiform bands surrounding isolated fragments of wallrocks or early veinmaterials pro- Flamboyant duee cockade texture. This texturehasbeen described by Adams(1920) and

tureistheradial orflamboyant extinction ofindividual quartz Thistermwas firstproposed by Rogers (1917). In general, crystals with a moreor less rounded crystal outline. Similar where the external surface of a mineral or mineral aggregateto the feathery texture, it caneither be developed in the rim shows combined spherical, botryoidal, reniform, andmammil- of a quartzcrystal with a dear euhedral core(Fig. 3d), or laryforms, it iscalled eolloform. Forsilica minerals, this texture throughout the crystal (Fig. 3e). is a characteristic feature of ehaleedonie aggregates in fine Ghost sphere rhythmic bands (Fig.2b).Underthe microscope, chalcedony in eolloform banding often has a microfibrous habit withsharp This texture commonly occurswithin microcrystalline re-entrant angles between adjacent contacting spheroids. quartz ascloudy spheres highlighted by the distribution of impurities (Fig. 3f). Ghost-sphere texture may be regarded Moss as a special moss texture,because both textures havethe Thistexture hasfeatures similar to the "miero-botryoidal same feature--spherical distribution of impurities within silgel structure" described by Adams (1920).In handspeci- icaphases such asamorphous silica, chalcedony, or quartz. mens, silica aggregates display a heterogeneous turbidap- However, if the host is quartz, ghost-sphere texture is used pearance, similar to moss vegetation (Fig. 2e). Underthe to characterize theinternal feature of quartz crystals. Ghostmicroscope, groups of spheres (usually ranging from0.1-1 sphere texture may gradate tomosaic texture where theimpummin diam) arehighlighted bythedistribution ofimpurities rities aregradually eliminated andcrystal boundaries become withinaggregates of silica minerals (Fig.2d).Some spherical interpenetrating. Some quartz crystals withghost-sphere teximpurities also show an internal concentric or radiating pat- turedisplay radial extinction andtherefore share thecharactern. Moss texture maygradate to eolloform texture if the teristic features of theflamboyant texture. spheres become interconnected. Pseudobladed Aggregates of quartz or chalcedony maybe arranged in a Combtexturerefersto groups of parallelor subparallelbladed orplaty form. Threesubtypes aredefined onthebasis quartz crystals which areoriented perpendicular tovein walls, of the morphology of the aggregate of blades. thusresembling the teeth of a comb(Fig. 2e). Normally Lattice bladed: Thistexture is comparable withthe "pseucrystals display a uniform grain size andhave euhedral termi- domorphic lameliar, platy, or tabular"quartztexturedenations attheirfreeends. Thistexture isfrequently described scribed by Lindgren (1899),Schrader (1912),and Morgan in the literature, including Adams(1920), Schieferdecker (1925). It displays a network of intersecting silica blades with (1959),andBoyle (1979). polyhedral cavities partly filled withcomb quartz crystals (Fig. 4a).In thinsections, each blade consists of a series ofparallel Zonal seams separated by quartz crystals or crystallites which have Zonaltexture displays alternating clearand milkyzones grown symmetrically about the seams andperpendicular to withinindividual quartzcrystals (Fig. 2f). Milky zones are them(Fig.4b). bladed: Blades are identified on the polished surusually crowded withfluidor solid inclusions andarealways Ghost parallel to crystal growth faces. facesof handspecimens by concentrations of impurities. Commonly blades aredispersed randomly withinquartz agMosaic gregates andlack cavities between theblades (Fig.4e).Under theblades aredifferentiated fromthematrix Aggregates of microcrystalline or crystalline quartz crystals themicroscope, havehighly irregular andinterpenetrating grainboundariesbydifferences in grain size, shape, and/or outlines of impurities (Fig. 4d). The thick silica blades usually have a ragged (Fig. 3a). Inhand specimens, the sample usual!y has avitreous with a setof parallel partings. andtightly packed appearance. Thistexture is equivalent to shape a jigsaw texture which is oneof most common microtextures Parallel bladed: Silicablades are parallel withina group in jasperold (Lovering, 1972)andis also notedin some epi- butadjacent groups may have different orientations. Theoutthermaldeposits (Saunders, 1990). line of groups defines an overall granular patternin hand specimens (Fig.4e).The microscopic feature of theparallel Feathery texture is essentially similar to thatof lattice-bladed texture: group comprises a setofparallel seams, separated either Under themicroscope withcrossed polars, individual quartz each crystals display a splintery or feathery appearance seen only as byrectangular quartz crystals (Fig.4f),orbyprismatic crystals
Comb

Colloform

Sanderand Black(1988). The chief characteristic of this tex-

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Texture

Sketch

of

Texture

Type

Grain Size

Grain Form

Internal Feature Morphology of Individual of Crystal Crystal Aggregate

References

Primary Growth Textures

Massive

variable anhedralnot applicable

homogenous Smimov (1962)

Bates &

Jackson (1987)

Crustiform

variablevariable notapplicable

successive banding

Adams(1920) Shaub (1934) Lindgren (1933) Buchanan (1981)

Cockade

variablevariable not applicable

concentric banding

Adams(1920) Spurt(1926)

Colloform

free

fibrous not applicable

anhedral

semi-spherical, Rogers (1917) reniform, Adams(1920) mammillary

Moss

[me

variable notapplicable spherical

Adams (1920)

Comb

variableprismaticnotapplicable parallelAdams (1920) orientated Schieferdecker (1959) Boyle (1979)

variable prismatic zonal

notapplicable Smirnov(1962)

FIe;. 1. Classification of quartztextures.

In thistexture, loosely packed vitreous to milky, fine-grained quartz aggregates have theappearance of sugar in hand speciPseudoacicular mens (Fig. 5e).Under themicroscope, abundant elongated subhedral crystals, some withdouble terminations, arerandomly Thepseudoaeieular texture was firstdescribed byLindgren distributed in a matrix of smaller, anhedral grains (Fig.5d). andBancroft (1914)fromthe Republic district, Washington,Locally thereis an alignment of elongate crystals giving the andwasalso reported byAdams (1920)andSchrader (1923). impression of a crude mesh or network. Thisis the "retiform In handspecimens, aggregates of silica minerals, commonly structure" described by Lindgren (1901),Adams (1920),and associated with adularia or its weathering products (serieite "retieulated texture" described by Lovering (1972). or kaolinite), display a radialaeieular appearance (Fig. 5a). Under the microscope, this is indicated by lineararrange- Discussion on the textural classification ments of fine-grained, sometimes roughly rectangular, quartz in some textbooks (e.g.,Stairnov, 1962;Bates eryst'als and/or byalinear distribution ofadularia oritsweath- Asdiscussed eringproducts (Fig.5b). andJackson, 1987), theterm"texture" isused forthegeneral

and/or crystallites growing perpendicular totheseams. Adams (1920)described a texture called "lameliar quartz" which has features verysimilar to the parallel-bladed texture.

Saccharoidal

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Texture

Sketch

of

Texture

Type

Grain Size

Grain Form

Internal Feature Morphology of Individual of Crystal

Crystal Aggregate

References

Recrystallization

Textures

Mosaic
free
Feathery

anhedralnotapplicable interpenea'ating Lovering (1972) Saunders (1990)

variableprismaticplumose

not applicable Adams(1920)

Sander and

Black(1988)

Flamboyant

variable round

radial

(1920) not applicable Adams

Sander and

Black(1988)

Ghost-sphere

f'me

anhedml spherical

notapplicableAdams (1920)

Replacement Textures

free

anhedmlnotapplicable to prismatic

intersecting Lindgren (1899) bladed Schrader (1912) Morgan(1925) intersecting

bladed

Ghost-bladed

free

anhedmlnotapplicable

fine

anhedml notapplicable parallel

to rectangular bladed

Adams (1920)

P0x'0llel-bladed
Pseudo-acicular

free

anhedralnotapplicable acicular to reckangular

Lindgren and Bancroft (1914) Adams(1920) Schrader (1923)

Saccharoidal

free

anhedmlnotapplicable to prismatic

interlocking Lindgren (1901) Adams(1920) Loveting(1972)

FIG. 1.

(Cont.)

of its mineral aggregates which differ fromone physical appearance orcharacter ofa rock, including thesize rangement another in shape, size, composition, andtexture. Thisisbest andshape of,andthemutual relations among, itscomponent byerustiform structure. However, thetwoterms minerals. Saeeharoidal andmosaic textures typically belong to represented often used interchangeably, and some textures may parallel thiscategory. Theterm"structure" is generally used forthe are structural features. Forinstance, eolloform andcomb larger features of a rock andisdetermined bythespatial ar- major

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FIC. 2. Quartztextures I. a. Crustiform: alternating finebands consisting of pinkadularia, microcrystalline quartz, comb quartz, andchlorite, developed fromboth walls of a fissure. Central extended lode, Cracow, Queensland (department catalog no.35322). b. Colloform-crustiform: classic examples of colloform (botryoidal) andcrustiform (alternating) bands

cohsidered characteristic ofepithermal veins. McLaughlin, California (35324). c.Moss: silica aggregates display aheterogeneous turbid appearance, similar to moss vegetation. Pajingo, Queensland (35327). d. Moss: groups of spheres highlighted by the distribution of impurities withinaggregates of sfiica minerals. Pajingo, Queensland (35327). Plane-polarized light. Scale bar = 0.2 mm.e. Comb: groups of parallel or subparallel quartz crystals oriented perpendicular to veinwall, resembling theteethof a comb/White Hopelode,Cracow, Queensland (35329). f. Zonal: within individual quartz crystals, therearealternating clearandinclusion crowded zones. Quartz Hill, Queensland (35330). Metricscales = 1 cm.

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F[c. 3. Quartz textures II. a. Mosaic: aggregates of microcrystalline quartz crystals withhighly irregular andinterpenetrating grain boundaries. Pajingo, Queensland (35331). Crossed polars. b. Feathery 1: a feathery appearance in the rims of the crystals witheuhedral cores, seen onlyasslight optical differences in maximum extinction positions. In another position (e.g., bottom center) thequartz crystal displays a very similar interference color between theeuhedral core and rims. Pajingo, Queensland (35332). Crossed polars. c.Feathery 2: a feathery appearance seen aspatches throughout quartz crystals. Afarti, Queensland (35333). Crossed polars. d. Flamboyant 1:radial or flamboyant extinction of individual quartz crystals withmore or less rounded crystal outline. In thissample, the flamboyant texture iswelldeveloped in therimsof crystalline quartz crystals witheuhedral cores. Central extended lode,Cracow, Queensland (35334). Crossed polars. e. Flamboyant 2:flamboyant extinctions seen throughout thecrystals withrounded surface inbands. Pajingo, north Queensland (35336). Crossed polars. f. Ghost sphere: solid and/or fluid inclusion defined spheres within microcrystalline quartz crystals. Central extended lode,Cracow, Queensland (35337). Crossed polars. Scale bars= 0.2 min.

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ERIC

Fc. 4, Quartz textures III. a. Lattice bladed: a network of intersecting sfiica blades withpolyhedral cavitiesi Bimurra, Queensland (35339)1 b. Lattice bladed: in thinsection, each blade consists of a series ofparallel seams separated byquartz crystals or crystallites which have grown symmetrically about theseams andperpendicular to them, Bimurra, Queensland (35339)1 Crossed polars. c. Ghost bladed: blades areidentified on thepolished surface of thehand specimens by the concentration of impurities. Thistexture commonly occurs in crustiform bands andlacks the cavities between blades Woolgar, Queensland (35340). d. Ghost bladed: aggregates ofquartz crystals withsuperimposed bladed texture identified byoutlines ofimpurities and finer grain size. Woolgar, Queensland (35340). Crossed polars. e.Parallel bladed: silica blades areparallel within each group butadjacent groups have different orientations. Bimurra, Queensland (35341). f. Parallel bladed: each group iscomposed of a setof parallel-oriented quartz crystals which have more or less rectangular shapes Bimurra, Queensland (35341). Crossed polars. Scale bars = 0.2 mm,metric bars = 1 cm.

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Fro. 5. Quartz textures IV. a. Pseudoacicular: aggregates of silica minerals, commonly associated withadularia or its weathered products (kaolinitc or illitc),display a radial acicular appearance, caused bydifferences in color and/or reliefin hand specimens. Pajingo, Queensland (35342). b. Pseudoacicular: acicular appearance is indicated under themicroscope bylinear arrangement of fine-grained quartz crystals andlinear distribution of day minerals. Pajingo, Queensland (35342). Crossed polars. c.Saccharoidal: loosely packed fine-grained quartz aggregate, having a sugary appearance inhand specimens. Rose's Pridelode,Cracow, Queensland (35343). d. Saccharoidal: under the microscope, slender subhedral crystals are randomly distributed in a matrix of smaller, anhedral grains. Locally there is alignment of elongated crystals giving the impression of a crude mesh texture. Rose's Pridelode,Cracow, Queensland (35343). Crossed polars. Scale bars= 0.2
ram, metric bars = I cm.

canbe used as bothtextures andstructures. Manypeople The Possible Origins of QuartzTextures today prefer to group texture andstructure together in regard of quartz textures is always a difficult subtothegeneral features ofa rock orvein(Lovering, 1972; Craig Interpretation ject, since it requires a substantial knowledge of the solubiliand Vaughan, 1981; Augustithis, 1982; MacKenzie et al.,1982). tiesof silica minerals, various kinetic processes such aspolyThis ,concept has been applied in thepresent study. coagulation, nucleation, crystallization, dissoluSince thecriteria forthisclassification aredefined byvari- merization, of silica minerals, most of which ousparameters (such asthe morphology of mineral aggre- tion,and'recrystallization particularly in very complex gates, the internal feature of anindividual crystal), a certain are still not well understood, hydrothermal systems. The following discussion attempts to specimen couldbe described in several textural termsby somepossible explanations towardthe origins of using different criteria. For example, comb texture describesprovide textures, based oncomparative observation andliteragroups of quartz crystals sharing thesame orientation; how- quartz Mostof theinterpretations remain at anempiriever,individual crystals in comb texture could alsodisplay turereview. zonaltexture or feathery texture. Crustiform texture refers calstage. Threemajorclasses are considered froma genetic point tothebanded arrangement ofmineral aggregates which differ growth textures whichrepresent the fromoneotherin texture andcomposition, it naturally in- of view:(1) primary formed during crystal growth or thedeposition eludes many othertextures withineachband. The wayto morphologies deal withthis problem istoname alltextures observed, sothat of amorphous silica; (2) recrystallization textures which result the characteristic of the sample canbe illustrated entirely. fromtherecrystallization ofchalcedony, orcrystallization and

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of maximum rateof growth is perpendicular to the subsequent recrystallization of amorphous silica to quartz; direction surface. Thisrequires relatively slow changing condiand(3) replacement textures which represent partial or com- growth in an openspace during crystal growth. plete pseudomorphs of other minerals by silicaminerals tions Zonaltexture is confined to quartz crystals that growdiwithin veins. Mostofthequartz textures described above can be fittedintooneof these threecategories. rectly fromhydrothermal fluid.Thisrequires thehydrothermalfluidto be onlyslightly saturated withrespect to quartz, Primary growth textures suggesting slow changing orvery mildly fluctuating conditions In general, any process which causes changes in fluidcondi- during crystal growth (Fournier, 1985). tions mayleadto the formation of simple crustiform bands. textures These processes include: cooling, mixing of twofluids, reac- Recrystallization tions between wallrocks and thefluid, and boiling (Buchanan, All silica minerals except quartz are metastable andhave 1981).However, to produce complex crushform bands with a tendency to convert to quartz afterdeposition. Thepossible numerous repetitive changes in mineralcomposition (e.g., waysof forming various reerystallization textures are illusquartz, adularia, sulfides) and/or textures, thehypothesis "epi- tratedin Figure6. sodic pressure release" (Buchanan, 1981) isa feasible mecha- Close inspection of a feathery texture reveals that some nism. Thedrops in thetotalconfining pressure willallow the individual domains of extinction resemble small subhedralfluids to boil,resulting in loss of gases, cooling, pH rises, and euhedral quartz crystals (see Fig.3b).Thisdosely resembles precipitation oforeandgangue minerals. Asminerals deposit, epitaxial growth of quartz(Rimstidt and Cole, 1983),i.e., the near-surface veinlets become filledby theseminerals, smallquartz crystals growor accumulate on a largeexisting effectively forming a sealed capto thefracture system. Once quartz crystal which acts asa surface favorable fornucleation sealed, the pressure increases andboiling at depthceases. andgrowth (Fig.6-A1).Laterthese small crystals arereerysTectonism, ormore likely hydrofracturing, can break theseal- tallized in approximate crystallographic continuity with the ingcapto allowa second, andlater,episode of boiling and hostquartzcrystal. The original shape of smallcrystals is mineralization, andagain seal the system. In thismanner, a preserved asa slight difference in extinction whichmaybe repetitively banded crustiform texture is formed. induced by dislocations along theboundary of adjacent small The separation of fragments in loose breccia by the force crystals during the reerystallization. of growing crystals, proposed by Adams (1920), is a feasible Thefinalappearance of a feathery texture is controlled by explanation for thecockade texture observed in the majority the mutual relationships between small crystals andthe host of samples in the present study. These show quartz prisms crystal. For example, if smallcrystals growor accumulate bristling fromall surfaces of fragments andsharp contacts on a euhedral quartz crystal, afterreerystallization, feathery between fragments and bandedmaterials. Hydrothermalextinction isconfined to thegrain margins. If thehostquartz brecciation generally precedes the formation of a cockade crystal continues to growtogether with or afterthe growth texture, asbrecciation allows deposition ofsilica minerals and or accumulation of small crystals, eventually these small crysotherminerals around newly formed fragments. tals willbe enclosed bythehost grain. Afterreerystallization, Colloform and moss textures both have distinct rounded feathery extinction will be developed as patches or zones forms, although oneexhibits continuous bands andtheother throughout the grain(Fig. 6-A2),with some individual doisolated spheres. Two processes, bothindicative of a silica mains of extinction evenerossing euhedral growth zones of precursor, were proposed to explain theformation ofrounded the crystal (seeFig.3e). forms. The firstoneis thatof the precipitation of silica gel The initialcomponents of a flamboyant texture are likely in free space (Rogers, 1917;Adams, 1920).The controlling to be aggregates of fibrous chalcedony withrounded external factor for thisprocess is considered to be surface tension, a surfaces, which originate fromsilica gel,either ascoatings on property of fluids caused by intermolecular forces nearthe early formed quartz crystals or wallrock(Fig.6-C2,referto surface, tending to reshape all nonspherical surfaces into a colloform texture), or asgroups of spheres (Fig.6-D2, refer spherical, minimum freeenergy configuration (cf.Adamson, to moss texture). Whentherecrystallized materials follow the 1976). Thesecond process isthatofthesegregation ofimpu- crystallographic orientation of initialnucleiof eachchalceritiesby crystallization fromsilica gel (Adams, 1920;Keith donicspheroid or thatof the largecrystal uponwhichthey andPadden, 1963,1964a, b; Oehler,1976).The principal arecoated, crystalline or microcrystalline quartz crystals with requirement for thisprocess is a veryslow rateof impurity radiating extinction, possibly induced by the dislocation bediffusion compared with the rate of crystal growth, which tweenadjacent chalcedonic fibers, are formed(Fig. 6-C3). typically occurs in viscous silicagel with impurities. The Thiscanbe illustrated in a series of photographs (Fig. 7). slightly different appearance between colloform and moss A ghost-sphere texture could begenerated fromrecrystallitextures may becaused bythedifferent occurrences of initial zation of amorphous silica or chalcedony witha moss texture nuclei: those adhered onwallrockor early formed veinrock (Fig.6-D1 andD2), if original spherically distributed impuriresult in the formationof colloformtexture;whereasthose tiesarepreserved in quartz crystals dueto theirlowsolubility suspended in silica gelleadto theformation of moss texture. (Fig. 6-D3). Toformcomb texture, geometrical selection must proceed A mosaic texture hasbeensuggested as the product of effectively (Grigor'ev, 1961, p. 190).Geometrical selection is recrystallization of massive chalcedony or amorphous silica a typeof competition for space between adjacent crystals, (Lovering, 1972).A similar textureis commonly foundin which results in the growth of onlythose crystals where the calcite marbles (Harker, 1950; Augustithis, 1985). It ispossi-

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Polymerization and aggregation

__---

I-

5o.,icaio
Possible

silicaprecursors
textures

/ /xcz / ,,axo2 to the qua

3

Various quartztextures asindicated in figure 1

Feathery

Jigsaw

Flamboyant

Ghost-sphere

FIG.6. Theinterpreted origin ofrecrystallization textures. Thedefinition ofpolymerization, aggregation, crystallization, condensation, andsolidification follows to Iler (1979). Various forms of opal: B1,C1, andD1; various forms of chalcedony: B2, C2, andD2; various forms of quartz: A1,A2, B3,C3, andD3.

of calcite (Fig.9c andd). Asnoted byAdams (1920), ble that recrystallized coarse grains locally followthe shape feature oftheoriginal small grains, forming highly irregular and inter- replacement proceeds along these planes moreeasily than penetrating boundaries of thecrystals. along rhombohedral cleavage planes. Thisselective replacementyields a setofparallel structures within lattice-or ghostReplacement textures bladed pseudomorphs, which aredefined under the microeitherby different grainsizes of quartz, by different Thepossible processes offorming various replacement tex- scope contents of impurities, or by preferred orientation of quartz turesaredemonstrated in a flowchart(Fig.8). Notsurprisingly, parallel-bladed texture, which shows Pseudobladed (latticebladed, ghost bladed, and parallel grains. granular outline for each group, is the product of bladed): Calcite and barite are the most common soluble an overall selective replacement of massive granular calcite. phases thatmaybe replaced by quartz in epithermal veins. Asillustrated in Figure 8-A2,quartz crystals start toreplace In oursample collection, primary bladed barite usually hasa carbonate along the outline of the crystals andpinaspindlelike shape andis commonly dissolved, leaving spin- bladed partings within thecrystals. Astheprocess goes further, dlelike molds rather thanbeing replaced by quartz. In con- coidal thatthereplacement frontis at theboundary betrast, primary bladed calcite often displays verysimilar mor- it appears tween the replaced mineral (carbonate) and the replacing phologies to those of lattice or ghost-bladed pseudomorphs mineral (quartz), andquartz crystals in theformer layer keep (Fig. 9a). simultaneously. Finally,as carbonate is totallyreUnlike barite, carbonate crystals usually contain numerous growing quartz crystals in every two adjacent layers merge microscopic inclusions, dominated by ironhydroxides. After moved, withcrystals back toback against each other and carbonate is replaced by quartz, theseimpurities are pre- intoa seam, of crystals increasing outward (Fig. 8served dueto theirlowsolubility andusually stilldefine origi- with the grain-size microscopic feature of lattice-bladed nalcrystal outlines. Occasionally rhombic cleavage traces of A3).Thisis the typical texture (seeFig. 4b). original carbonate canalso be preserved (Fig.9b). material is quartz intergrown withbladed Thelamellar parting, which isparallel tothebasal pinaeoid If the starting of carbonate crystals, is the mostdistinctive morphological carbonate (Fig.8-B1),the replacive quartz commonly grows

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veloprectangular forms commonly seenin parallel bladed texture (Fig.8-C3,also seeFig.4f). Thisispossibly because replacement takes place more readily along thelameliar partings withincarbonate crystals thantransverse to them(Adams, 1920).

A pseudoacicular texture is formed viathereplacement of calcite by quartz andadularia along a setof radial acicular structures within calcite crystals (Fig.8-D1),assuggested by Lindgren andBancroft (1914), Adams (1920), andSchrader (1923).Partialreplacement of calcite by quartz along this structure is also visible in some samples (Fig.9e). The presence of radial-acicular structure withincalcite crystals is somewhat problematic, since thisstructure does notfollow anyconsistent structural feature in calcite crystals such asrhombohedral dearage planes, twinplanes, or basal pinaeoid planes. Asshown by NieldandHeniseh (1969)and Gareia-Ruiz andAmoros (1981), calcite crystals grown in sfiiea gel are usually turbidwith somespedfie but unusual morphologies suchas radialfibers.Dissolution of turbid calcite crystals in acidleaves a residue of silica gel which hasthe same structure asthe original growth medium. It is
indicated from these results that the silica network which

constitutes the gel is incorporated into the growing calcite crystals moreor less intact.In thisway,an unusual radialaeieular structure, composed of sfiiea, isformed within calcite crystals. Laterreplacement by quartz should preferentially
follow this structure where there are sfiiea inclusions for nu-

cleation (Fig.8-D3). A saeeharoidal texture hasbeengenerally interpreted as the product of the replacement of calcite (Lindgren, 1901; Adams, 1920; Lovering, 1972). Presumably, diffusion ofsfiieabearing fluidthrough randomly distributed crystallographic defects, rather thanalong thelameliar partings (e.g., forming parallel-bladed texture), withinmassive granular carbonate is responsible for the initialnucleation of quartz crystallites randomly dispersed in carbonate crystals (Fig.8-E2).Further diffusion along theboundary between carbonate andquartz
leadsto the formation of slender subhedral-euhedral, or even

doubly terminated, quartz crystals (Fig.9f) which eventually interlock, forming saccharoidal texture (Fig.8-E3).In some
cases,remnantsof calcite are found within the saccharoidal

texture. Theycould laterbe replaced byfinergrained aggregates of anhedral quartz, or be dissolved, giving a porous appearance which is commonly seen in the saccharoidal texture.

Implications of ThisStudy 1. The mostconspicuous quartztextures in epithermal whichrecord the presence of a silicagel FIG.7. Anearly stage of recrystallization, forming flamboyant texture. a. veinsare those (e.g.,colloform, moss, ghost sphere, flamboyant, Colloform-banded, initial chalcedony coating ondearquartz crystals (plane- precursor polarized light). b. In thearea close toclear quartz crystals, initial chalcedonyandpseudoacicular). To formsilica gel, the fluidneeds to has recrystallized withthesame optical orientation asthehost quartz crystals be highly supersaturated with respect to amorphous silica (crossed polars). c.In themaximum extinction position, recrystallized materi1985).At low temperature (e.g.,below100C), als showing flamboyant texture (crossed polars). McLaughlin, California (Fournier, (35344). Scale bars = 0.2 mm. the solubility of amorphous silica is relatively low(e.g.,364 ppmat 100C, cf. Fournier, 1985,appendix) andthe rateof onexisting quartz crystals withthesame crystallographic ori- silica precipitation isveryslow(Rimstidt andBarnes, 1980). entation, andthe original bladed formis onlydefined by Therefore, thefluidmay easily reach equilibrium withamorconcentrations of impurities (Fig.8-B3,cf. Fig. 4d).After phous silica at lowtemperatures. For example, cooling of a replacing massive granular carbonate, quartz crystals may de- dilutefluidin equfiibrium withquartz froma hot reservoir

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LatticeBladed

GhostBladed

ParallelBladed

Pseudo-Acicular

Saccharoidal

FIc.. 8. Interpretation ofstages intheformation ofvarious replacement quartz textures. Thetoprow represents original
forms of calcite; the middle rowshows initialstage of replacement of calcite by quartz; the bottom rowshows various quartz textures (indicated in Fig.1) formed aftercomplete replacement of calcite.

fromsilica gel,along withother geological, mineral(e.g.,at 230C with silicaconcentration of 388 ppm) may inherited or fluidinclusion evidence of relatively hightemperayielda fluidsupersaturated withrespect to amorphous silica ogical, is a good indicator of boiling in epithermal environat about100C. Thismayoccur whenan ascending hydro- tures, thermal fluidrises fastenough andsilica does notprecipitate ments. 2. The recognition of a carbonate precursor is alsoimduring the ascent. In fact,colloform andmoss textures have beenobserved in a number of siliceous sinters in active geo- portant. In epithermal environments, theprecipitation ofvein ismost likely driven bytheloss of CO2 duetoboiling, thermal systems (e.g., Whiteet al.,1956; Herzig et al.,1988; calcite thesubsequent generation ofCO-ions from thedissociFournier et al., 1991). At higher temperatures, the fluidsu- and of HCO (Henley, 1985; ReedandSpycher, 1985). In persaturated with respect to amorphous silica should have a ation calcite maybe precipitated wherecooler marginal relatively highsilica concentration (e.g.,at 220C the fluid addition, saturated with respect to amorphous silica contains about fluids come into contact with hotter rocks due to its retrosolubility, but thisprocess is commonly restricted to 1,070ppmsilica, cf. Fournier, 1985,appendix), such a high grade andshallow partsof a system (Simmons and silica concentration is not easily attained simply by cooling the margins 1994).The control of calcite morphology has from a hot reservoir. However, wherethe fluid undergoes Christenson, of a vast geological andgeochemical literaboiling, significant cooling due to adiabatic expansion (de- beenthe subject 1968;Kirovet al., 1972;Folk, 1974; creasing thesolubility of silica minerals) andtheloss ofwater ture (e.g.,Bischoff, andRoy, 1974; Lahann, 1978; Given and Wikinson tothevapor phase (increasing silica concentration in residual McCauley In general, crystal morphology of calcite is suggested solution) canmakethe fluidhighly supersaturated with re- 1985). mainly bytherateof crystal growth, Ca'2+/ spect to amorphous silica, evenat relatively hightempera- to becontrolled in thefluid,andthepresence of impurity ions tures.For example, assuming a reservoir hasa temperature CO- ratios asMg +, Na +, andSO4 -, butthemechanisms arestill of 300C andpressure of 200bars, thewaterin equilibrium such obscure andunverified bydirect evidence. In many withquartz under these conditions should contain about 750 somewhat geothermal systems, bladed calcite is commonly reppmSIO2. Thiswill yielda fluidjustsaturated withamor- active to theboiling zone andmay contain coexisting liquidphous silica at about170C (cf. Fournier, 1985,appendix). stricted inclusions (Browne, 1978; Keithet al., 1978; According to theenthalpy balance calculation (e.g.,Henley, andvapor-rich 1984), isoenthalpic boiling of a fluidfrom300 to 200C will Tulloch, 1982; Simmonsand Christenson,1994). However, clear genetic evidence, it is difficult to conclude that cause 25 percent waterloss. Thusif taking the steam loss without (e.g.,granular) cannot formin intoaccount (assuming 30%waterloss asa maximum), the otherformsof veincalcite environments, or thatbladed calcite forms exclusively silicaconcentration in sucha fluid mayreachabout1,070 boiling zones. ppm, which isequivalent tothesolubility of amorphous silica in boiling becomes more soluble withdecreasing temperature atabout 220C. Therefore, thepresence ofthequartz textures Calcite

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Fzc.9. Primary calcite andpartial replacement of calcite. a. Primary-bladed calcite: a network of intersecting bladed calcite separated by polyhedral cavities, identical morphology with lattice-bladed pseudomorphs in Figure4a. Komata mine,Coromandel, NewZealand. b. Rhombic cleavage traces: aftercalcite is replaced by silica, rhombic cleavage traces areoccasionally preserved bythedistribution ofbrownish-colored impurities. Note nocalcite isleftinthis sample. Barambah Creek,Queensland. Crossed polars. c. Partial replacement of bladed calcite: bladed calcite is beingreplaced by quartz along parallel partings, identical morphology with ghost-bladed pseudomorphs in Figure4d. Red Dome,Queensland. Crossed polars. d. Partial replacement of granular calcite: granular calcite is beingreplaced by fine-grained quartz along parallel partings, identical withparallel-bladed pseudomorphs in Figure 4f. Yandan, Queensland. Crossed polars. e. Partial replacement of granular calcite: partial replacement of granular calcite by quartz along radial acicular structure in the crystal. Standard lode,Cracow, Queensland. Crossed polars. f. Partial replacement of granular calcite: granular calcite is partly replaced byrandomly dispersed slender subhedral-euhedral quartz crystals. Rose's Pride lode, Cracow, Queensland. Crossed polars. Scale bars= 0.2 min.

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butless soluble asthepartial pressure ofCO2 decreases (Ellis, regarding the hypothesis of colloidal goldtransport, it is a 1959).Henceboiling mayprecipitate or dissolve calcite, de- mechanism worthy of further investigation. pending on the composition of the hydrothermal solution, Conclusions thepressure atwhich boiling isinitiated, thedrop intemperaclassification of quartz textures hasbeendetureandpressure andwhether the system is openor closed. A descriptive froma review oftheliterature andtheexamination of In gas-rich, opensystems, boiling dramatically reduces the veloped samples fromepithermal veins in Queensland. Thirteen partial pressure of CO2.At relatively lowtemperatures, the many types havebeendefined, mostof themhavebeen loss of C02 will cause significant enrichment of CaC03in textural interpreted genetically andgrouped intothreemajor classes: the fluiddueto the highsolubility of calcite. Consequently, growth textures, (2)reerystallization textures, and boiling initiated fromgas-rich andopen systems at relatively (1)primary textures. It hasbeenrecognized thatsome low temperatures favors precipitation of largeamounts of (3) replacement quartz textures canbeused asanindicator of boiling calcite. If these early precipitated calcite crystals arenotim- specific environments, and there isapositive correlation mediately segregated fromresidual fluids, theyare readily in epithermal goldmineralization andthe quartz textures indicadissolved andreplaced bysilica minerals when thefluidcools between tiveof silica gelprecursors. further, forming various replacement textures. provides thegroundwork forfurther systematic Thus, if a fluidundergoes boiling which results in theloss Thisstudy evaluation of the distribution of quartz textures and textural of CO2 without rapid cooling (e.g., isothermal boiling), or if a assemblages in selected epithermal systems. A textural zoning fluid isheated byhotter rocks, thefluid may besupersaturated which canbe used to determine thevertical position with respect to calcite but undersaturated with respect to model, system andto predict the likelylocus quartz. In thiscondition, calcite precipitates alone andislater withinan epithermal of gold mineralization, will be proposed in another paper. replaced by silica minerals, forming lattice-bladed, parallelbladed, orsaccharoidal textures--depending onthemorpholAcknowledgments ogy of carbonate precursors andthedevelopment ofcleavages wasa partof project P247"Epithermal Gold andfractures, as discussed previously. On the otherhand, Thisstudy Deposits in Queensland" sponsored by Australian Mineral where thefluid undergoes boiling which induces both theloss Industries Research Association. The support fromthe staff ofCO2 andrapid cooling (e.g., isoenthalpic orsubisoenthalpic of the Earth Sciences Department at James boiling, cf.Reed andSpycher, 1985), thefluid could besuper- and students Cook University, sponsor companies, and AMIRA is gratesaturated with bothcalcite and quartz or evenamorphous fully acknowledged. Two Economic Geology reviewers are silica. In this case, calcite andquartz oramorphous silica presincerely thanked for their constructive comments. cipitate simultaneously, forming ghost-bladed orpseudoacicuREFERENCES lartextures when calcite islater replaced bysilica. 3. Fromthe comparison between well-mineralized vein Adams, S.F.,1920, A microscopic study of veinquartz: ECONOMIC GEOLsystems (such asCracow, Pajingo, andMountCoolon) and OGY, v. 15, p. 623-664. A.W., 1976,Physie'al chemistry of surfaces, 3rd ed.:NewYork, barren orpoorly mineralized ones (e.g., Quartz Hill,Woolgar, Adamson, John WileyandSons, 698p. andBimurra) (cf.Digweed, 1991; Porter, 1991; Dong, 1993; Anufriyev, Y.N.,Stupakov, G.P.,andMoskalyuk, A.A.,1973, Characteristics Bobis et al.,1995; Worsley, 1995), it isapparent thattextures of quartz of Koehkar gold deposit: International Geology Review, v. 16, inherited fromsilica gel(e.g., ghost-sphere, flamboyant, and p. 405-415. Augustithis, S.S.,1982,Atlas of the spheroidal texture andstructure and pseudoacicular) arewidely distributed in theformer systems, their genetic significance: Athens, Greece, Theophrastus Publications, 329 whereas absent or poorly developed in the lattergroup. A p. possible explanation, as discussed earlier,is that the same --1985, Atlas ofthetextural patterns ofmetamorphosed (transformed and fluidcondition forforming silica gel(i.e.,boiling) also favors deformed) rocksand their geneticsignificance: Athens,Greece, Publications, 401p. theprecipitation of gold. Alternatively or additionally, gold Theophrastus C., andRobinson, s.J.,1984, Thermal release ofwaterfromnatur'al may betransported ascolloidal particles which areprotected Barker, quartz: American Mineralogist, v. 69,p. 1078-1081. bycolloidal silica. If thisisthecase, more gold isableto be Bates, R.L.,and Jackson, J.A., 1987, Glossary ofgeology, 3rded.: Alexandria, transported topreferential sites, forming richorebodies. The Virginia, American Geological Institute, 788p. J.L.,1968, Kinetics of calcite nucleation: Magnesium ioninhibition idea thatcolloids areimportant intheformation ofsome gold Bisehoff, ionicstrength catalysis: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 73, p. deposits is not new.Lindgren (1936)suggested thatgold and 3315-3322. maybe present ascolloidal particles in neutral to alkaline Bobis, R.,Morrison, G.W.,and Jaireth, S.,1995, Anatomy ofa Carboniferous hydrothermal solutions and isapparently protected bycolloi- epitherm'al oreshoot at Pajingo, Queensland: Setting, zoning, alteration, ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, V.90,p. 1776--1798. dalsilica. Frondel (1938) showed experimentally that colloidal andgeochemistry: R.W.,1979, Thegeochemistry of gold anditsdeposits: Canada Geogoldis stable up to 350C whencolloidal silica is present. Boyle, logical Survey Bulletin, v. 280,584p. Goni et al. 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