sedimentary

Red Sandstone

Clastic Sandstone (typically Quartz-rich with Iron Oxide)

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs) for individual grains but overall friable; Color: Red, reddish-brown, or orange due to hematite coating; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Clastic, fine to medium-grained; Cleavage: None

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs) for individual grains but overall friable
Color: Red, reddish-brown, or orange due to hematite coating
Luster: Dull/Earthy

Identified July 20, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments, typically in arid environments, riverbeds, or coastal areas. The red color indicates formation in an oxygen-rich environment where iron minerals oxidized.

Uses & applications

Widely used as building stone, decorative landscaping rock, and as an abrasive in some industrial processes. Fine-grained variants are used for carving.

Geological facts

The famous red rock formations of the American Southwest, such as those in Sedona or the Grand Canyon, are primary examples of this rock type. It is one of the most common types of sedimentary rock on Earth.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its gritty, sandpaper-like feel and the way it may crumble into sand when rubbed firmly. It often shows visible bedding planes or layering in larger field specimens.

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