sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite (SiO2 principal component)

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan/buff/brown, Luster: dull/earthy, Crystal structure: clastic texture, Grain size: 0.0625 mm to 2 mm, Feels gritty like sandpaper.

Identified July 18, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan/buff/brown, Luster: dull/earthy, Crystal structure: clastic texture, Grain size: 0.0625 mm to 2 mm, Feels gritty like sandpaper.

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation and lithification of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments, typically quartz or feldspar, over millions of years in river beds, deserts, or marine environments.

Uses & applications

Widely used for construction, paving materials, as a building stone for facades, and as a reservoir rock in the petroleum industry due to its porosity.

Geological facts

Sandstone can vary greatly in color depending on the impurities; iron oxides can turn it red or pink. It often preserves sedimentary structures like ripple marks or cross-bedding.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its gritty texture and visible sand grains. It is common globally in sedimentary basins. Collectors often look for colorful banding or fossil inclusions.