sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite (SiO2 primarily)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs), Color: Tan, brown, or buff, Luster: Dull/Earthy, Crystal Structure: Granular/Clastic, Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs), Color: Tan, brown, or buff, Luster: Dull/Earthy, Crystal Structure: Granular/Clastic, Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments, cemented together by pressure and silica or calcite over millions of years in marine or terrestrial environments.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as a building material, paving, and decorative stone. Also serves as a reservoir for oil and natural gas.
Geological facts
Sandstone can preserve fossilized footprints and ripple marks from ancient riverbeds or beaches. It makes up roughly 20 to 25 percent of all sedimentary rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture. Commonly found in desert regions, canyons, and coastal bluffs. Collectors look for unique banding patterns called Liesegang rings.
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