Quartz, Feldspar, Hornblende and Pyroxene

Quartz is the hardest of these three minerals and also the most common. It can come in many different colours (amethyst, citrine, rose etc.) and can crystalize into hexagonal prisms. Most of the time it is found without structure.

Usually pink or white. Feldspar is identified by its striping or twinning (parrallel lines). Potassium Feldspar in this province is usually pink, sometimes white. Plagioclase Feldspar is usually white.

If the mineral is dark in colour, it is most likely Hornblende or Pyroxene. These minerals are common in the igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Canadian shield.