mineral

Weathered brown quartz-rich pebble

Likely quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide staining; exact identification requires testing

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small rounded pebble with brown-red coloration, dull to slightly vitreous luster, and pale translucent patches. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65; iron oxides produce the staining.

Identified August 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed in an igneous or metamorphic source rock and later liberated by weathering, then rounded by stream or beach transport. Its precise geological age and source cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Common quartz pebbles have little commercial value, though attractive pieces may be used in collections, crafts, or lapidary work; quartz is important industrially in glass, electronics, and abrasives.

Geological facts

The rusty color commonly comes from hematite or goethite coatings and inclusions rather than quartz itself. A steel file or glass-scratch test can help distinguish quartz from softer brown minerals.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and a white streak rather than a brown one. Similar pebbles occur widely in river gravels, beaches, and glacial deposits.