Electron spin resonance of auriferous and barren quartz at Beaconsfield, northern Tasmania

The intensity of ESR spectra of powdered quartz from auriferous veins at Beaconsfield is greater than the intensity of the spectra from barren vein quartz at the same locality. Lattice impurities are presumed to be the cause of the electron paramagnetism of the mineralised quartz species. The method can be used for the characterisation of different types of quartz and may provide a tool useful in exploration geochemistry.