sedimentary
Sandstone (Ferruginous Concretion)
Arenite (with iron oxide cement)
Hardness: 6-7 (individual grains); Color: tan, brown, yellowish; Luster: dull, earthy; Structure: granular, clastic texture with cementation; Cleavage: none; SG: 2.3-2.6
- Hardness
- 6-7 (individual grains)
- Color
- tan, brown, yellowish
- Luster
- dull, earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (individual grains); Color: tan, brown, yellowish; Luster: dull, earthy; Structure: granular, clastic texture with cementation; Cleavage: none; SG: 2.3-2.6
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and compaction of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments, cemented together by chemical precipitates like silica or iron oxide. These often form in desert, river, or ocean environments.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction as a building material and paving stone. In some cases, it is a source of sand for glass manufacturing or as an aquifer for water/oil.
Geological facts
Sandstone makes up about 20-25% of all sedimentary rocks on Earth. Famous monuments like the Red Fort and Petra are carved entirely out of sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its gritty, sandpaper-like feel and visible grains. Often found in outcrops, riverbeds, and sedimentary basins. Collectors often look for concretions or fossiliferous samples.
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Cone-in-cone structure (Secondary Sedimentary Structure)
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Sandstone Grain
Clastic Sedimentary Rock Grain (SiO2 dominated)
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Brecciated Chert (Microcrystalline Silica)
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Shale or Slaty Mudstone
Argillaceous sedimentary rock
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Sandstone
Arenite (primarily SiO2)
sedimentary