mineral

Weathered quartz-rich pebble

Likely quartzite or silicified rock with iron-oxide staining; chiefly SiO₂

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Gray-green, rounded, fine-grained stone with dull to slightly vitreous luster and rusty yellow-brown limonite/goethite patches. Quartz hardness is about Mohs 7; massive texture prevents reliable identification of crystal structure or cleavage from the image.

Identified September 8, 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

Formation & geological history

Probably a stream- or beach-worn pebble formed from silica-rich metamorphic or sedimentary material, later weathered and stained by iron oxides. Its precise geological age and parent rock cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Primarily a natural specimen, teaching sample, or landscaping stone; it has little commercial jewelry value unless cutting reveals attractive quartz patterns.

Geological facts

The brown-yellow coloration is typical of hydrated iron oxides concentrated along fractures and porous zones. Rounded edges indicate prolonged abrasion in water or sediment.

Field identification & locations

Test hardness against glass: genuine quartzite should scratch it; inspect a fresh break for interlocking quartz grains and use dilute acid to check for carbonate reaction. Common in river gravels and glacial deposits worldwide.