Wax Stones ( 黄蜡 石 ) are small- to medium-sized, hard, often shiny stones originating from stream and river beds or their adjacent banks in southern China. They are very hard and high in quartz that has been infiltrated with impurities such as iron oxides. These impurities give the stones their characteristic yellow to reddish-brown color. There are many forms and surface textures to these stones. See the feature article on these stones.