sedimentary
Banded Sandstone (Hag Stone)
Arenite Sandstone (SiO2 with impurities)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs). Color: Grey to brown with dark bands. Luster: Dull/Earthy. Structure: Clastic, fine-grained. Features: Visible laminations and small weathering pits or boles.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs)
- Color
- Grey to brown with dark bands
- Luster
- Dull/Earthy
Identified More sedimentary →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs). Color: Grey to brown with dark bands. Luster: Dull/Earthy. Structure: Clastic, fine-grained. Features: Visible laminations and small weathering pits or boles.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation and lithification of sand-sized grains over millions of years. The bands represent different layers of deposition or mineral staining. This specific specimen has been rounded by hydraulic action (water erosion).
Uses & applications
Primarily used as decorative garden stones, historical 'lucky charms' (hag stones), or in architectural masonry when found in larger slabs.
Geological facts
Specimens with naturally occurring holes, often caused by boring organisms or selective weathering, are known as 'Hag Stones' and have been used in folklore for centuries to ward off evil.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the gritty texture (like sandpaper) and distinct parallel bedding planes. Frequently found on beaches or in riverbeds. Look for differential weathering where softer minerals have eroded away.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite (primarily SiO2)
sedimentary
Chert Breccia
Brecciated Chert (Microcrystalline Silica)
sedimentary
Sandstone Grain
Clastic Sedimentary Rock Grain (SiO2 dominated)
sedimentary
Shale or Slaty Mudstone
Argillaceous sedimentary rock
sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite
sedimentary