sedimentary

Sandstone Pebble

Sandstone (primarily SiO2)

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, beige, or light brown; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Texture: Granular and gritty like sandpaper; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs
Color: Tan, beige, or light brown
Luster: Dull/Earthy

Identified July 9, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, beige, or light brown; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Texture: Granular and gritty like sandpaper; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Formation & geological history

Formed from the accumulation and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (sand) over millions of years, typically in river beds, deserts, or ocean floors.

Uses & applications

Used as a construction material, in glass manufacturing, for grindstones, and as a common decorative landscape rock.

Geological facts

Sandstone can be found in almost every color imaginable due to impurities. It is one of the most common types of sedimentary rock and makes up about 10 to 20 percent of all sedimentary rocks on Earth.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its sandy, gritty texture which feels like sandpaper. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and eroded cliff faces. Collectors look for unique banding or fossil inclusions.