sedimentary

Sandstone Pebble

Sandstone (Silicon dioxide-rich clastic sedimentary rock)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale depending on cementation; Color: Light brown to grayish-tan; Luster: Dull, earthy; Texture: Granular, fine-to-medium-grained quartz sand matrix; Structure: Rounded beach/river pebble due to fluid erosion.

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale depending on cementation
Color: Light brown to grayish-tan
Luster: Dull, earthy

Identified July 25, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (predominantly quartz and feldspar) in marine, fluvial, or desert environments, followed by physical weathering and transport by water.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as construction aggregate, decorative landscaping rock, and for educational stone identification. Smooth pebbles are also popular in rock tumbling and crafts.

Geological facts

River and beach pebbles undergo thousands of years of natural friction and water action, which rounds off their sharp edges to create smooth, oval cobbles. Sandstone accounts for about 20% of all sedimentary rocks on Earth.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture when rubbed, along with visible tiny quartz grains. Widely abundant in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and coastal beaches around the world.

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Sandstone or Siltstone

Arenite (if sandstone)

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Sedimentary Sandstone

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Fossiliferous Concretion

Septarian Concretion containing Brachiopods/Crinoids

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Shale

Shale (clastic sedimentary rock)

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Shale

Argillaceous sedimentary rock

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Mudstone

Argillite / Siliciclastic sedimentary rock

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