mineral

Weathered quartz-rich pebble

Milky quartz with iron-oxide staining, possibly quartzite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; cream to tan with gray-green patches, dull to waxy luster, massive granular texture, no obvious cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity is approximately 2.6–2.7.

Identified August 29, 2026More mineral →

Explore Weathered quartz-rich pebble in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness about 7 Mohs; cream to tan with gray-green patches, dull to waxy luster, massive granular texture, no obvious cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity is approximately 2.6–2.7.

Formation & geological history

Likely formed from silica-rich hydrothermal or metamorphic material and later weathered into a rounded pebble; its precise geological age and source cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collector specimen or decorative stone; quartz-rich material may be used as aggregate, silica feedstock, or occasionally carved, but this piece has little commercial value.

Geological facts

The rusty tan coloration is commonly caused by iron oxides such as limonite or hematite, while the green-gray areas may reflect chlorite, clay, or other altered minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its very high hardness— it should scratch ordinary glass—and its lack of visible cleavage. Common sources include quartz veins, metamorphic terrains, stream gravels, and weathered bedrock worldwide.