mineral

Quartz Pebble (Iron-Stained Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Translucent milky white to pale pinkish-orange due to iron oxide staining. Luster: Vitreous to waxy when water-worn. Crystal system: Trigonal. Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to waxy when water-worn

Identified July 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal vein deposition or igneous crystallization, then eroded, rounded, and stained by iron oxide in riverbeds, gravel bars, or glacial deposits.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in lapidary work, tumbling, decorative landscaping, silica source for industrial manufacturing, and general mineral collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. Stream-worn pebbles like this one often retain micro-fractures stained with hematite or goethite, giving them distinct orange and reddish patches.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, milky translucency, and smooth, rounded water-worn surface. Found in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel deposits worldwide.

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