sedimentary

Iron-stained river pebble (likely jasper or chert)

Silica-rich microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂, colored by iron oxides; exact identification is uncertain from the image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Rounded, opaque brown pebble with a glossy, possibly wet surface and mottled iron-oxide staining. If jasper/chert, hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, luster waxy to dull, and crystal structure microcrystalline; no visible cleavage.

Identified October 10, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely a silica-rich rock fragment rounded by stream or beach transport, with brown coloration from iron oxides. Its source rock may be much older; the image does not establish its age or exact setting.

Uses & applications

Attractive pebbles may be used for lapidary work, tumbling, landscaping, or collections; commercial value is generally low.

Geological facts

Jasper and chert are varieties of microcrystalline quartz, but a wet surface can make many ordinary stones look similarly glossy.

Field identification & locations

A fresh dry surface, streak, hardness, and fracture would help distinguish jasper/chert from iron-rich rocks. Rounded pebbles occur in riverbeds and beaches worldwide.