sedimentary
Sandstone (Stream-rounded Cobble)
Arenite (composed primarily of SiO2, Silica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, beige, or grey with subtle bedding; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal Structure: Clastic (granular texture); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan, beige, or grey with subtle bedding
- Luster
- Dull/Earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, beige, or grey with subtle bedding; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal Structure: Clastic (granular texture); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (sand-sized grains). This specific specimen has been rounded and smoothed by water transport in a river or coastal environment, likely over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as an aggregate, decorative landscaping stone, and historically as a building material for facades.
Geological facts
Sandstone can be porous enough to serve as an aquifer or a reservoir for petroleum and natural gas. Some varieties contain fossils, preserving ancient life forms within their layers.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its gritty 'sandpaper' feel and visible layers (bedding). This specimen is a 'clast' found in alluvial deposits or stream beds globally.
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