sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan, yellow, or reddish-brown, Luster: dull/earthy, Crystal Structure: clastic (granular), Cleavage: none, Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Identified June 24, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan, yellow, or reddish-brown, Luster: dull/earthy, Crystal Structure: clastic (granular), Cleavage: none, Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains, usually quartz or feldspar. These grains are deposited by water, ice, or wind in environments like riverbeds, deserts, or beaches over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used as a construction material (dimension stone) for buildings, paving, and decorative garden features. Also used as a source of high-purity silica for glass manufacturing.

Geological facts

Sandstone can reveal ancient environments through cross-bedding and ripple marks preserved in the rock layers. Many of the famous canyons in the American Southwest, like the Grand Canyon, are composed of massive sandstone formations.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand grains. It is extremely common in sedimentary basins and along coastlines. It can be easily scratched by a steel nail but will scratch glass if it is quartz-rich.