sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite (primarily SiO2)

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, beige, or yellow-brown; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Granular/Clastic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs
Color: Tan, beige, or yellow-brown
Luster: Dull/Earthy

Identified March 30, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, beige, or yellow-brown; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Granular/Clastic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments. Typically deposited in riverbeds, deserts, or coastal environments over millions of years (often dating from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic eras).

Uses & applications

Widely used in the construction industry for building facades, paving, and decorative garden features. Also used as a reservoir rock in the petroleum industry and as a source of silica for glass manufacturing.

Geological facts

Sandstone accounts for roughly 20 to 25% of all sedimentary rocks on Earth. Famous geological formations like the Grand Canyon and Petra in Jordan are primarily composed of various sandstone layers.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinctive 'sandpaper' texture and visible mineral grains. It often shows bedding layers. It is ubiquitous in sedimentary basins and arid regions globally.