sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite (primarily SiO2)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, brown, or yellowish-brown; Luster: Dull or earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic (sand-sized grains); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Tan, brown, or yellowish-brown
Luster: Dull or earthy

Identified May 7, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, brown, or yellowish-brown; Luster: Dull or earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic (sand-sized grains); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8

Formation & geological history

Formed from the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments, typically in river beds, deserts, or coastal environments over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Extensively used as a building material, decorative stone, in glass manufacturing, and as a reservoir rock for petroleum and groundwater.

Geological facts

Sandstone accounts for approximately 20 to 25 percent of all sedimentary rocks on Earth. The famous red rock formations of the American Southwest are primarily ancient sandstone layers.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its gritty, abrasive feel similar to sandpaper and visible small grains. Commonly found in sedimentary basins and along former or current water bodies.