mineral
Quartz Pebble with Hematite Inclusion
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Translucent milky white to pale pinkish quartz with reddish-brown hematite/iron oxide matrix center. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 7 on the Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Translucent milky white to pale pinkish quartz with reddish-brown hematite/iron oxide matrix center. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through hydrothermal processes or silica crystallization in igneous and metamorphic rocks. The pebble shape indicates stream or beach erosion (tumbling by water action over time).
Uses & applications
Commonly collected as a decorative rock or beach specimen, used in lapidary arts, and used as raw material for aggregate or silica production.
Geological facts
Water-worn quartz pebbles often trap iron oxide minerals like hematite inside cavities or fracture zones, creating distinct reddish-brown inner cores or veins.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), smooth water-rounded surface, and milky-white to translucent appearance around a darker mineral center. Found in stream beds, gravel pits, and along coastlines worldwide.
