Wonderstone is a rhyolitic tuff or volcanic ash that has been stained by iron oxides, creating intricate, swirling patterns and vivid bands of color. It is highly sought after by lapidaries for its unique banding, which polishes to a smooth, attractive finish. Collectors often find it in weathered, massive outcrops where the contrasting colors are most visible.
Is this wonderstone?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch wonderstone with a known reference. Wonderstone sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wonderstone leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wonderstone typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, yellow, brown, orange, white, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Wonderstone vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wonderstone
Minerals reported to co-occur with wonderstone. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Decorative
- Host rock
- Volcanic Ash Deposits
- Typical price
- $5-50 for slabs or polished specimens
Where rockhounds find wonderstone
5 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Utah, USA
- Nevada, USA
- South Africa
- Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic ash deposits country — that is the host setting where wonderstone typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Nevada — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find wonderstone on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
