sedimentary
Sandstone (Iron-stained)
Quartz Arenite with Iron Oxide Stain (SiO2 + Fe2O3)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Reddish-brown, orange-tan, rust colored due to hematite/limonite staining. Luster: Dull, earthy, slightly sugary sparkled appearance. Grain: Granular texture with visible quartz grains fused or cemented together.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Dull, earthy, slightly sugary sparkled appearance
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Reddish-brown, orange-tan, rust colored due to hematite/limonite staining. Luster: Dull, earthy, slightly sugary sparkled appearance. Grain: Granular texture with visible quartz grains fused or cemented together.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral- or rock-sized grains of sand in river, beach, or desert environments. Over geological time, iron-rich water percolating through the pore spaces deposits iron oxide, giving it a distinctive reddish-brown color.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as dimension stone, paving, flagstone, decorative landscaping, and historically for grinding stones. Highly valued in lapidary art for carving when tightly cemented.
Geological facts
Red and orange sandstones form iconic landforms such as the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Valley of Fire. The distinctive red color is caused by minute amounts of hematite coating individual sand grains, much like rust.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its grainy, sandpaper-like texture and rough sugary luster under light. Commonly found in riverbeds, desert environments, canyon walls, and sedimentary basins worldwide. Scratching it with steel will usually dislodge tiny quartz sand grains.
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