sedimentary

Sandstone Pebble

Arenite

Texture: clastic (sand-sized grains), Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan, grey, buff, Luster: dull, earthy, Structure: granular, composed primarily of quartz and feldspar.

Identified July 10, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Texture: clastic (sand-sized grains), Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan, grey, buff, Luster: dull, earthy, Structure: granular, composed primarily of quartz and feldspar.

Formation & geological history

Formed from the accumulation and cementation of mineral grains or rock fragments. Found in riverbeds and ancient sedimentary basins. The location provided in southern France (near Toulouse) is rich in Cenozoic sedimentary deposits from the Garonne river basin.

Uses & applications

Used in construction as a building material and road base; higher-purity quartz sandstones are used in glass-making.

Geological facts

Sandstone can preserve fossilized footprints or ripple marks from ancient riverbeds or deserts. It represents 10 to 25 percent of the sedimentary rocks on Earth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its sandpaper-like feel and visible grains. Widespread in the Pyrenees foothills and Garonne valley gravels. Soft enough to be scratched by steel in some cases depending on the cement.