sedimentary
Sandstone (with potential trace fossils)
Clastic sedimentary rock (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Tan, beige, brown; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal Structure: Granular/Clastic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.0-2.6. Texture is gritty like sandpaper.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs)
- Color
- Tan, beige, brown
- Luster
- Dull/Earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Tan, beige, brown; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal Structure: Granular/Clastic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.0-2.6. Texture is gritty like sandpaper.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments over millions of years, typically in desert, river, or marine environments. Age varies based on specific location.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as a building material, in paving, for making grindstones, as a reservoir for oil and water, and as a source of silica for glass making.
Geological facts
Sandstone conveys geological history through 'sedimentary structures' like cross-bedding or ripple marks. Many of the world's most famous canyons, like the Grand Canyon, are composed of sandstone layers.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its gritty texture and visible sand grains. It is often found in stratified layers. Collectors look for unique patterns or embedded trace fossils (ichnofossils) left by prehistoric organisms.
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