sedimentary
Sandstone
Clastic Sedimentary Rock (composed mostly of SiO2)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz content); Color: Tan, brown, yellow, green, or red; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal Structure: Granular/Clastic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz content)
- Color
- Tan, brown, yellow, green, or red
- Luster
- Dull/Earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz content); Color: Tan, brown, yellow, green, or red; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal Structure: Granular/Clastic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains (usually quartz or feldspar) over millions of years. This specimen appears to be lithified sediment from a riverbed or coastal environment.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for paving and building facades, as a source for glass manufacturing (silica sand), and for decorative landscaping.
Geological facts
Sandstone makes up about 10-20% of the Earth's sedimentary rocks. Famous structures like the treasury at Petra and the Red Fort in India are carved from or built with sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its gritty, 'sandpaper' texture. Look for visible layers (bedding) and grains that are roughly uniform in size. Found globally in basins and desert regions.
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