sedimentary

Sandstone

Quartz-rich clastic sedimentary rock, commonly arkose or lithic sandstone

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 6–7 for quartz-rich grains, tan to orange color, dull to slightly gritty luster, and visible sand-sized grains cemented together; composition appears dominated by quartz with possible feldspar, iron-oxide staining, and clay minerals.…

Identified September 20, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when sand accumulated, compacted, and cemented—often by silica, calcite, or iron oxides—in rivers, dunes, beaches, or shallow marine settings. Its exact geological age cannot be determined from the image and may range from Precambrian to recent.

Uses & applications

Used as building stone, paving, aggregate, landscaping material, and occasionally as a sculptural or decorative stone. This ordinary field specimen generally has little commercial or collector value.

Geological facts

The orange-brown coloration commonly results from hematite or limonite coatings on grains or cement. Sandstone can preserve ripple marks, cross-bedding, fossils, and ancient environmental clues.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its gritty texture, sand-sized grains, layered or massive appearance, and tendency to shed grains when weathered; a glass scratch test may help if quartz-rich. Common worldwide, especially in sedimentary basins and desert or river deposits.