sedimentary

Sandstone Pebble

Sedimentary Rock (Quartzose Sandstone)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); Color: Brown, tan, reddish-brown, or grey; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal Structure: Clastic, composed of cemented mineral particles or rock fragments; Cleavage: None, but fractures unevenly; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains)
Color: Brown, tan, reddish-brown, or grey
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified July 31, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (predominantly quartz sand) in desert, river, or beach environments, typically over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in construction, as a building stone, in paving, and historically for whetstones and grindstones.

Geological facts

Sandstone often preserves ancient ripples, fossil tracks, and cross-bedding, providing geologists with a detailed record of prehistoric environments and wind or water currents.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and sedimentary rock formations worldwide. Identified by its gritty texture and visible sand grains.

Other sedimentary specimens

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Sandstone or Siltstone

Arenite (if sandstone)

Sedimentary

Fossiliferous Concretion

Septarian Concretion containing Brachiopods/Crinoids

fossil

Quartz pebble

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

sedimentary

Generic Pebble / Rock Fragment

Lithic fragment / Weathered rock

sedimentary

Banded Siltstone / Mudstone Pebble

Siltstone / Argillite

sedimentary

Sedimentary Sandstone

Arenite (Sedimentary Rock)

sedimentary