sedimentary
Sandstone with Iron-Stained Band
Quartz Arenite / Sedimentary Rock
Mohs hardness: 6 to 7 (due to quartz grains); Color: Tan/beige body with a dark brown/black iron oxide band; Luster: Dull to earthy; Texture: Gritty, clastic with visible sand-sized grains.
- Hardness
- 6 to 7 (due to quartz grains)
- Color
- Tan/beige body with a dark brown/black iron oxide band
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness: 6 to 7 (due to quartz grains); Color: Tan/beige body with a dark brown/black iron oxide band; Luster: Dull to earthy; Texture: Gritty, clastic with visible sand-sized grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, predominantly quartz sand, in environments such as deserts, rivers, or beaches. The dark band represents a fracture or vein filled with iron oxide (such as hematite or goethite) that was later exposed to weathering and groundwater movement.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative garden stone, in landscaping, and occasionally as a tumbling stone for lapidary work.
Geological facts
Sandstone is one of the most common sedimentary rocks on Earth. The contrasting dark band across the pebble is often referred to as a wishing stone or a recording of groundwater flow pathways over thousands of years.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand grains. Found globally in riverbeds, lake shores, and desert environments where sedimentary strata are exposed and eroded.
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Sedimentary Sandstone
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