mineral

Polished ironstone or hematite-rich river pebble

Ironstone, likely hematite/goethite-bearing quartz or chert (Fe₂O₃/FeO(OH) with silica)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness commonly 5–6.5 Mohs; brown, reddish-brown, gray, and metallic patches with a smooth polished luster. Dense, fine-grained, and non-cleavable; exact composition requires streak, magnetism, and specific-gravity tests.

Identified September 15, 2026More mineral →

Explore Polished ironstone or hematite-rich river pebble in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

At a glance

Common name: Polished ironstone or hematite-rich river pebble
Scientific name: Ironstone, likely hematite/goethite-bearing quartz or chert (Fe₂O₃/FeO(OH) with silica)
Category: mineral
Identified: September 15, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Typically $5–$30 as a polished common specimen; roughly $30–$100 if unusually attractive, large, or demonstrably rare.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by iron-oxide cementation or weathering of iron-rich sediments, then naturally water-rounded and possibly hand-polished; age is indeterminate and depends on its source formation.

Uses & applications

Used as ornamental stone, lapidary material, pigment source, and occasionally as iron ore; generally not a gemstone unless strongly patterned or unusually lustrous.

Geological facts

A reddish-brown streak on unglazed porcelain supports hematite, while yellow-brown coatings suggest goethite/limonite. Strong magnetism would indicate magnetite or maghemite instead.

Field identification & locations

Common in river gravels and iron-rich terrains worldwide, including Australia, Brazil, India, and the Lake Superior region. Field identification relies on high density, earthy red-brown streak, and absence of visible crystals.