sedimentary

Red Sandstone

Sedimentary Quartz Arenite / Arkose

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); Color: Red, reddish-brown, pinkish (derived from iron oxide cements); Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments; Cleavage: None (fractures around grains); Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains)
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified August 5, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, typically in desert, river, or beach environments over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in construction as a building and paving stone, decorative landscaping, and historically for monuments and sculptures.

Geological facts

The characteristic red color of many sandstones comes from iron oxide (hematite) acting as a cement between the sand grains. Famous geological formations like the American Southwest's desert monuments are carved from massive sandstone layers.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand grains. Commonly found worldwide in sedimentary basins, riverbeds, and arid regions.