sedimentary

Sandstone / Weathered Quartzite

Sandstone (Quartz Arenite)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale depending on quartz content. Color: Tan, beige, light brown, and grey with iron oxide staining. Luster: Dull to earthy. Crystal Structure: Granular texture composed of sand-sized grains, predominantly quartz. Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: ~2.2 - 2.8.

Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale depending on quartz content
Color: Tan, beige, light brown, and grey with iron oxide staining
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified July 23, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the compaction and cementation of sand grains, typically composed of quartz, in marine, fluvial, or arid desert environments. Common across all geological ages from Precambrian to Recent.

Uses & applications

Widely used as a construction building stone, flagstone, paving, aggregate, and raw material for glassmaking (high-purity quartz sandstones). Rough specimens have limited ornamental value.

Geological facts

Sandstone is one of the most common sedimentary rock types on Earth, making up about 10 to 20 percent of the Earth's sedimentary rocks. Famous geological structures like the Grand Canyon display massive sandstone layers.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its distinctive gritty surface (feels like sandpaper) and visible sand-sized mineral grains under magnification. Found globally in riverbeds, cliffs, quarries, and coastal outcrops.