What’s this rock’s story?

Chap · Sep 4, 2020

I know nothing about Geology but found the attached whilst climbing on Tryffan, on a sunny day in Snowdonia Wales and hoped the users of this forum could tell me a thing or two about it?

I imagine it must be quartz from comparisons with images seen online and what I have read online about quartz being in abundance on the mountain. I know it’s not rare but it really caught my imagination, how old might this rock be? how long has it been sat on the mountain waiting to be found?.. is it as old as the rocks around it or is it formed after through some sort of volcanic process..? Did this once sit inside another rock which has broken around it?

If anyone has a minute and could confirm this is quartz and tell me how I could approximately age the rock (does it necessary follow for instance that it is as old as the mountain it sits on?) I would be much obliged.

I know it’s daft to be so curious about such a common thing but for one reason or another it really caught my imagination !

Terry Soloman · Sep 4, 2020

Welcome to the forum! Sure looks like quartz. Tell us where you found it and post some better photos. Cheers! :occasion14:

Chap · Sep 4, 2020

Terry Soloman said:
Welcome to the forum! Sure looks like quartz. Tell us where you found it and post some better photos. Cheers!

Thanks for your reply Terry.

I found it on Tryffan, which is a spectacular mountain in the Snowdonia mountain range in Wales. It’s a great walk and at its peak are two stone monoliths called Adam and Eve which it’s traditional to jump between. If you ever visit I suggest checking it out. I saw something on the intranet that said that quartz is abundant on the mountain so figured that’s what it is but also wondered if it was gypsum. The rock was found about half way up the mountain, I’m not sure if the rocks at the bottom or top of mountains are the oldest?

I have attached a couple of extra photographs. It’s smooth and regular on three sides and rough and irregular on the remaining edges. It’s shiny on its surface and transparent when you shine a light through it. Any idea if it will be as old as the rocks surrounding it or would quartz be formed by later volcanic activity?