mineral

Quartz Pebble (with Iron Staining)

Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellowish-tan to creamy white with brown iron oxide staining; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Yellowish-tan to creamy white with brown iron oxide staining
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified July 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or as a constituent of igneous rocks. This specific specimen is a 'river rock' or 'alluvial pebble,' meaning it has been weathered out of its parent rock and smoothed by water transport over thousands of years. The yellow/brown color comes from limonite or hematite staining.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as decorative landscaping stone (river rock), in aggregate for construction, or as a source of silica for glassmaking. Smooth specimens are often collected as 'pocket stones' or used in rock tumbling.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These rounded pebbles are often called 'gold stones' by children due to their yellow-orange iron staining, which can mimic the appearance of gold from a distance.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel), its smooth rounded surface from water erosion, and its lack of visible grains. It is extremely common in riverbeds and on beaches worldwide.

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