mineral

Dendritic Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Manganese/Iron oxide inclusions

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White or clear base with brown, black, or reddish branch-like inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when mineral-rich water (often manganese or iron) seeps into fine fractures of quartz or agate, depositing oxides in a branching crystalline pattern during cooling or evaporation.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in lapidary work, jewelry making (cabochons), and as a collector's specimen due to its unique patterns.

Geological facts

The 'tree-like' patterns are called dendrites, named after the Greek word 'dendron' for tree. These are not fossils of plants, but inorganic mineral growths.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the characteristic branching patterns and the hardness of the quartz base. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and areas with hydrothermal activity.

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