mineral
Quartz pebble (likely iron-stained milky quartz)
Quartz, SiO₂; iron-oxide staining
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 Mohs; opaque white to cream with orange-brown staining, vitreous to dull luster, massive structure, and no cleavage; conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity about 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 Mohs; opaque white to cream with orange-brown staining, vitreous to dull luster, massive structure, and no cleavage; conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity about 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich magma or hydrothermal fluids and is highly resistant to weathering; this rounded pebble was likely transported and polished by water. Its exact age and source cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Commonly collected or used decoratively; quartz also serves as an industrial silica source and is used in glassmaking and electronics.
Geological facts
The orange coloration is likely iron-oxide staining rather than a separate orange mineral. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals.
Field identification & locations
Look for hardness (it scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and irregular, curved fracture surfaces; common in river gravels worldwide. The image supports identification as quartz, but not a precise locality.
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