Pegmatite deposits are typically associated with which mineral assemblage?

• A. Titaniferous magnetite deposit
• B. Seams of calcite in limestone
• C. Fissure vein of quartz with gold
• D. Layered shale beds

Answer: (C)

Pegmatites form from late-stage crystallization of granitic magmas, producing extremely coarse crystals and a quartz-rich mineral assemblage with abundant alkali feldspar and mica. They often occur as fissure veins that fill cracks in surrounding rocks, and these quartz-rich veins can carry additional minerals, including metals such as gold. This makes a fissure vein of quartz with gold the best match for pegmatite-related mineralization. The other options describe deposits more typical of sedimentary or iron-oxide systems or carbonate veins, which don’t reflect pegmatite characteristics.