igneous
Orange feldspar pebble (likely potassium feldspar)
K-feldspar, chiefly orthoclase or microcline (KAlSi₃O₈), in a granitic rock fragment
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque, mottled salmon-orange and brown with a dull to slightly vitreous luster; feldspar hardness is about 6 Mohs, with two near-right-angle cleavage directions. The small, rounded specimen’s grain boundaries and exact composition are not clear from the image.
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Opaque, mottled salmon-orange and brown with a dull to slightly vitreous luster; feldspar hardness is about 6 Mohs, with two near-right-angle cleavage directions. The small, rounded specimen’s grain boundaries and exact composition are not clear from the image.
Formation & geological history
Likely weathered from feldspar-rich granite or pegmatite and rounded by transport in water or sediment. Its source rock may have formed during ancient magma cooling; the pebble’s age cannot be determined from appearance alone.
Uses & applications
Feldspar is used in ceramics and glass; attractive pieces may be collected or used in simple jewelry, though this specimen appears chiefly of interest as a field find.
Geological facts
Orange color commonly results from iron staining or inclusions rather than being diagnostic of a particular feldspar variety.
Field identification & locations
Look for salmon-pink color, blocky cleavage, and hardness near 6; feldspar-bearing pebbles occur in river and beach gravels worldwide. A scratch test and fresh fracture would help distinguish it from quartz or other orange stones.
