mineral

Orange chalcedony or weathered quartz pebble

Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂; possibly iron-oxide-stained chalcedony

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; orange-yellow, opaque to slightly translucent, with a dull to waxy luster and no visible cleavage. Its rounded shape indicates water or abrasion; exact identification would require testing or magnification.

Identified August 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely a naturally rounded silica-rich pebble, colored by dispersed hematite or limonite during weathering and groundwater alteration. The age and original host rock cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Common pieces are decorative, collectible, or used for lapidary cutting and tumbling; chalcedony varieties may be fashioned into beads and cabochons.

Geological facts

Iron staining can produce vivid orange colors in quartz and chalcedony, but similar appearance may also come from jasper, iron-rich limestone, or artificially dyed material.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy/waxy luster, conchoidal fracture, absence of cleavage, and resistance to scratching by a steel file; quartz should scratch ordinary glass. Common worldwide in stream gravels and weathered volcanic or silica-rich terrains.