sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite (SiO2 based)

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: tan, brown, or reddish-brown; Luster: earthy/dull; Crystal structure: clastic/granular texture; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8; Cleavage: none (fractures across grains).

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs)
Color: tan, brown, or reddish-brown
Luster: earthy/dull

Identified March 23, 2026More sedimentary →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: tan, brown, or reddish-brown; Luster: earthy/dull; Crystal structure: clastic/granular texture; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8; Cleavage: none (fractures across grains).

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation and lithification of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments, typically in desert, river, or coastal environments over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in construction as a building material and paving stone, in the production of glass, and occasionally for grindstones or sculptures; common in landscaping.

Geological facts

Sandstone is one of the most common types of sedimentary rock and often contains fossils or cross-bedding structures that reveal the direction of ancient winds or water currents.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its gritty, sandpaper-like feel and visible grains. It is found globally in sedimentary basins. Collectors should look for unique banding or fossil inclusions.