mineral

Quartz River Pebble (Iron-Stained)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Limonite/Hematite inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale; yellowish-orange to rusty brown exterior due to iron oxide weathering, revealing milky white quartz underneath; vitreous to dull luster; conchoidal fracture; hexagonal crystal system in original structure.

Identified July 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed via hydrothermal activity or pegmatite vein crystallisation, later weathered out of parent rock and transported, rounded, and smoothed by river or glacial water action over thousands to millions of years.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in construction aggregate, landscaping, decorative stone, and as garden gravel.

Geological facts

The distinct yellowish-brown coating is caused by secondary iron oxide minerals (limonite/goethite) leaching from groundwater into small surface fractures and pores.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its hard, scratch-resistant surface (can scratch glass) and rounded river-worn texture. Extremely abundant in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and coastal gravels worldwide.