sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite (composed primarily of SiO2)

Hardness: 6-7 (on Mohs scale); Color: Tan, brown, or buff; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal Structure: Clastic (grainy texture); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 (on Mohs scale)
Color: Tan, brown, or buff
Luster: Dull/Earthy

Identified March 30, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 (on Mohs scale); Color: Tan, brown, or buff; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal Structure: Clastic (grainy texture); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains (usually quartz or feldspar). It typically forms in river deltas, deserts, or beaches and can range from the Precambrian to the Holocene era.

Uses & applications

Extensively used as a building material, masonry, and road base. Also used in glass making and as a groundwater reservoir in petroleum geology.

Geological facts

Sandstone can preserve fossilized footprints more clearly than many other rock types. It makes up roughly 20-25% of all sedimentary rocks on Earth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by his gritty, sandpaper-like feel and visible layering (bedding). It is found globally, notably in the Southwestern United States and Great Britain. For collectors, look for cross-bedding or fossil inclusions.