Moqui Marbles are naturally occurring iron oxide concretions found in the Navajo Sandstone formation. They typically appear as spherical to disc-shaped brown balls with a hard outer shell of hematite and a soft interior of sandstone, formed through ground water mineral precipitation.

Hardness

5.5-6.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Reddish-brown

Transparency

Opaque

mineralcommon

Moqui Marbles

Also: Shaman Stones, Moki Marbles, Navajo Berries

Hardness: 5.5-6.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Reddish-brown
Transparency: Opaque

Is this moqui marbles?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch moqui marbles with a known reference. Moqui Marbles sits at Mohs 5.5-6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Moqui Marbles leaves a reddish-brown streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Moqui Marbles typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: spherical concretions.

Often found alongside moqui marbles

Minerals reported to co-occur with moqui marbles. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Fe₂O₃
Mohs hardness: 5.5-6.5
Density: 4.5-5.2 g/cm³
Colors: Brown Reddish-brown Black
Streak: Reddish-brown
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Spherical Concretions
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Metaphysical
Host rock: Sedimentary Sandstone
Typical price: $5-30 per pair

Where rockhounds find moqui marbles

Classic worldwide localities

Navajo Sandstone, Utah, USA
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary sandstone country — that is the host setting where moqui marbles typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, sandstone in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a spherical concretions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify moqui marbles?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5-6.5. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is reddish-brown. Common colors include brown, reddish-brown, black.

Where is moqui marbles found?+

Notable localities include Navajo Sandstone, Utah, USA; Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, USA.

How much is moqui marbles worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-30 per pair. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What minerals are found with moqui marbles?+

Moqui Marbles commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Sandstone. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does moqui marbles form in?+

Moqui Marbles typically forms in sedimentary sandstone. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is moqui marbles used for?+

Moqui Marbles is used in collector, metaphysical.

Find moqui marbles on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.