Rock Identifier
Sandstone (Quartz arenite / Clastic sedimentary rock) — sedimentary
sedimentary

Sandstone

Quartz arenite / Clastic sedimentary rock

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6-7 on Mohs scale due to quartz content; yellow to brown color; dull or earthy luster; clastic texture with visible sand grains.

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Physical properties

Hardness of 6-7 on Mohs scale due to quartz content; yellow to brown color; dull or earthy luster; clastic texture with visible sand grains.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, predominantly quartz, in marine, desert, or river environments.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction for building facades, paving stones, and historically for grinding wheels.

Geological facts

Sandstone formations can absorb large amounts of water, acting as natural aquifers for groundwater storage.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible bedding planes; found worldwide in sedimentary basins.