sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite (primarily SiO2, silica)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz content); Color: Tan, buff, or light brown; Luster: Dull or earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic (grainy texture); Cleavage: None (breaks across grains); Specific gravity: 2.2 - 2.8.

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz content)
Color: Tan, buff, or light brown
Luster: Dull or earthy

Identified March 29, 2026More sedimentary →

Identify your own rocks.

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

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments. These grains are typically deposited in riverbeds, deserts, or coastal environments and lithify over millions of years under pressure from overlying layers.

Uses & applications

Extensively used as a building material, in road construction (as asphalt filler), for glass manufacturing (if high purity quartz), and in artistic sculptures or garden landscaping.

Geological facts

Sandstone is often porous enough to act as a natural aquifer or a reservoir for petroleum and natural gas. Famous formations like the Antelope Canyon in Arizona demonstrate the dramatic effects of water erosion on sandstone.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its gritty 'sandpaper' texture and visible layering (bedding planes). It is commonly found in sedimentary basins and arid regions. Collectors should look for unique weathering patterns or fossil inclusions.