sedimentary
Sandstone
Clastic Sedimentary Rock
Hardness: 6-7 (due to quartz grains), Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, or grey, Luster: Dull to earthy, Crystal Structure: Clastic/granular, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (due to quartz grains), Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, or grey, Luster: Dull to earthy, Crystal Structure: Clastic/granular, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, principally quartz and feldspar, usually in environments such as beaches, deserts, or riverbeds.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as building stone, paving, and flagging, as well as in manufacturing glass and abrasive products.
Geological facts
Sandstone formations often preserve ancient ripple marks and cross-bedding from ancient deserts and river systems, providing geologists with a record of past climates.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand grains. Common worldwide in sedimentary basins and cliff exposures.
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