sedimentary

Red sandstone

Quartz-rich sandstone, commonly arkose or ferruginous sandstone

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Usually 6–7 Mohs because of quartz; reddish-orange, earthy to dull luster, granular texture, and no cleavage. The color comes from iron-oxide coatings or cement; visible grains and weak layering may occur.

Identified September 2, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when sand accumulated, compacted, and was cemented by silica, calcite, or iron oxides, commonly in rivers, deserts, or floodplains. The precise age cannot be determined from the image; red sandstones range from Precambrian to modern geological formations.

Uses & applications

Used as building stone, paving, wall stone, aggregate, and occasionally decorative material. Common specimens have limited jewelry or collector value.

Geological facts

The specimen’s pink-orange color and weathered granular surface are consistent with iron-stained quartz sandstone, though a photograph cannot reliably distinguish it from weathered arkose or some reddish volcanic rocks.

Field identification & locations

Look for individual sand grains, gritty texture, layering, and scratching by quartz; sandstone commonly breaks along bedding planes. Common worldwide, including the Colorado Plateau, Appalachian Basin, Australia, India, and southern Africa.