mineral
Quartz River Pebble (Iron-Stained)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Limonite/Hematite inclusions
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 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 More mineral →
Explore Quartz River Pebble (Iron-Stained) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
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.
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.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous