sedimentary

Sandstone

Quartz Arenite

Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale, Color: Tan, beige, brown, reddish, or white, Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal structure: Clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments, Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly), Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8

Identified August 2, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, predominantly quartz, deposited by water, wind, or ice in environments such as deserts, rivers, beaches, and shallow marine areas. Geological age can range from Precambrian to recent.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction as a building material, dimension stone, paving, and decorative aggregate, as well as an aquifer for groundwater and a reservoir rock for petroleum.

Geological facts

Sandstone formations like Zion National Park and Petra are famous for their stunning landscape relief and carved architecture. It often preserves ancient ripple marks and fossilized tracks.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand grains. Found worldwide in sedimentary basins, cliffs, and desert regions. Collectors and geologists look for bedding planes and mineral cement variations.