sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
Hardness: 6-7 (individual grains); Color: Tan to reddish-brown (ochre); Luster: Dull or earthy; Structure: Granular/clastic; often shows course quartz crystals in the side view layers.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (individual grains)
- Color
- Tan to reddish-brown (ochre)
- Luster
- Dull or earthy
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (individual grains); Color: Tan to reddish-brown (ochre); Luster: Dull or earthy; Structure: Granular/clastic; often shows course quartz crystals in the side view layers.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation and lithification of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments. Often formed in desert, river, or coastal environments. This specimen appears to have a secondary crystalline mineral coating on one edge.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as a building material and in the manufacture of glass (if high silica). Collected as garden stone or for interesting mineral inclusions.
Geological facts
Sandstone is one of the most common sedimentary rocks on Earth. Its color is often dictated by the presence of iron oxides like hematite or goethite, giving it a characteristic rust-like hue.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its gritty texture (feels like sandpaper) and visible sand grains. Found globally in canyon lands and sedimentary basins. Check for porousness and layering.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Mudstone
Argillite / Siliciclastic sedimentary rock
sedimentary
Cone-in-cone structure (Limestone)
Cone-in-cone structure (Secondary Sedimentary Structure)
sedimentary
Brown Sandstone (River Rock)
Arenite
sedimentary
Sandstone Grain
Clastic Sedimentary Rock Grain (SiO2 dominated)
sedimentary
Chert Breccia
Brecciated Chert (Microcrystalline Silica)
sedimentary