sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite (SiO2 primarily)
Rough, sandpaper-like texture; Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, beige, or pale yellow; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Composition: Siliciclastic grains; Cleavage: None.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Tan, beige, or pale yellow
- Luster
- Dull/Earthy
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Physical properties
Rough, sandpaper-like texture; Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, beige, or pale yellow; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Composition: Siliciclastic grains; Cleavage: None.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation and lithification of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments in environments like deserts, river deltas, or beaches over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a construction material for flagstone, paving, and architectural cladding; also used for grindstones and in glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
Sandstone can vary in color based on impurities; iron oxides create reds and browns. It often contains natural groundwater reservoirs known as aquifers.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its distinctive gritty feel when rubbed; it often shows bedding planes or layers. Found globally in sedimentary basins.
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