sedimentary
Red Sandstone
Arenite with iron oxide (Hematite) cement
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown to tan; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal structure: Granular (Clastic texture); Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Reddish-brown to tan
- 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 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown to tan; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal structure: Granular (Clastic texture); Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments. The red color suggests deposition in an oxygen-rich environment where iron minerals oxidized (rusted). Often found in ancient riverbeds, deserts, and floodplains.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as a building material, decorative stone for landscaping, and occasionally as a source of silica for glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
Red sandstone formations comprise iconic landscapes like the Grand Canyon and the 'Red Rocks' of Colorado. It often contains microfossils or ripple marks from ancient water currents.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its gritty feel like sandpaper and its distinct reddish hue. It is commonly found in sedimentary basins and arid regions globally. Collectors look for unique weathering patterns or fossil inclusions.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Chert Breccia
Brecciated Chert (Microcrystalline Silica)
sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite (primarily SiO2)
sedimentary
Sandstone Grain
Clastic Sedimentary Rock Grain (SiO2 dominated)
sedimentary
Shale or Slaty Mudstone
Argillaceous sedimentary rock
sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite
sedimentary