sedimentary
Sandstone (Quartzite Pebble)
Arenite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: light grey to tan; Luster: dull to earthy; Structure: clastic/granular texture with rounded edges due to water erosion; Cleavage: none.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- light grey to tan
- Luster
- dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: light grey to tan; Luster: dull to earthy; Structure: clastic/granular texture with rounded edges due to water erosion; Cleavage: none.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains, primarily quartz. This specific rounded shape indicates transport by water in a river or coastal environment over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as an aggregate, in landscaping, and sometimes as an abrasive or in glass manufacturing if highly pure in silica.
Geological facts
Sandstone can preserve ancient environmental records like ripple marks and cross-bedding from prehistoric rivers or dunes.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its gritty, sandpaper-like feel and visible grains. Often found in riverbeds, beaches, or eroded rock outcrops near sedimentary basins.
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