sedimentary

Sandstone

Clastic Sedimentary Rock

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (depending on cement); Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink, white; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic/granular, composed mostly of quartz and feldspar grains; Cleavage: None

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (depending on cement)
Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink, white
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified August 5, 2026More sedimentary →

Explore Sandstone in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, usually sand-sized (0.0625 to 2 mm), predominantly quartz. Forms in environments like deserts, beaches, rivers, and floodplains over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in construction as building stone, paving material, and for making glass, concrete, and abrasives.

Geological facts

Sandstone is porous and permeable, making it an excellent natural aquifer that stores and filters groundwater. Famous structures built from sandstone include Petra in Jordan and the White House in Washington, D.C.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand grains. Found worldwide in regions with ancient sedimentary basins, deserts, and coastal areas.