sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: tan, brown, yellow, and grayish; Luster: matte/dull; Structure: clastic texture with visible sand-sized grains; Cleavage: none; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale)
Color: tan, brown, yellow, and grayish
Luster: matte/dull

Identified February 20, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: tan, brown, yellow, and grayish; Luster: matte/dull; Structure: clastic texture with visible 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 formed in river beds, deserts, and coastal environments through lithification over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Extensively used as a building material, paving stone, and in the manufacturing of glass and grindstones. It is also an important reservoir rock for groundwater and petroleum.

Geological facts

Sandstone makes up about 10-20% of Earth's sedimentary rocks. Famous landmarks like the Grand Canyon and the Treasury at Petra are carved primarily from sandstone layers.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its gritty, sandpaper-like feel and visible layering (bedding planes). Often found in areas with past or present water activity. Collectors look for unique banding or fossil inclusions.