mineral

Iron-Stained Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Oxide (Limonite/Goethite) inclusions

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent with orange/brown staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to translucent with orange/brown staining
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent with orange/brown staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous veins. This specific specimen has been rounded by fluvial (river) or marine erosion, with secondary iron oxidation causing the orange bands.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as decorative garden stone, in landscaping, and as a filler in construction. High-purity quartz is used in glass and electronics, but iron-stained pebbles are primarily for aesthetics.

Geological facts

Quartz is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. The orange 'staining' is often rust (iron oxide) that has permeated micro-fractures in the stone over millions of years.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till. Collectors look for unique banding patterns or high translucency.

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