sedimentary

Rounded ferruginous sandstone pebble

Quartz-rich sandstone, likely limonite/goethite-stained (SiO₂ with iron oxides/hydroxides)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Fine-grained, dull earthy orange-brown surface with a rounded, water-worn shape; mainly quartz grains cemented by silica or iron minerals. Hardness is approximately 6–7 for quartz-rich areas, with no visible cleavage; specific gravity about 2.3–2.7.

Identified August 26, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when sand was compacted and cemented into sandstone, then chemically weathered and rounded by stream or shoreline transport. Its exact geological age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Typically used as a decorative pebble, landscaping stone, or teaching specimen; it has little jewelry or industrial value unless it proves to be an unusually attractive or fossil-bearing material.

Geological facts

The orange coloration commonly comes from limonite and goethite coatings rather than the primary sandstone minerals. Its smooth shape records prolonged abrasion in moving water or sediment.

Field identification & locations

Look for visible sand grains, gritty texture, and an orange iron-oxide stain; a steel nail may scratch softer cement, while quartz grains resist scratching. Common in river gravels, beaches, and weathered sandstone areas worldwide.