sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite (primarily SiO2)

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: tan, yellow, or buff; Luster: dull/earthy; Texture: clastic/gritty like sandpaper; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8; visible layering/bedding.

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale)
Color: tan, yellow, or buff
Luster: dull/earthy

Identified July 8, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: tan, yellow, or buff; Luster: dull/earthy; Texture: clastic/gritty like sandpaper; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8; visible layering/bedding.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (0.0625 to 2 mm in size) in marine or terrestrial environments such as river beds, deserts, or beaches over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in construction as a building material, masonry, paving, and decorative stone. Also used in glass making and as a groundwater reservoir in nature.

Geological facts

Sandstone accounts for approximately 20 to 25 percent of all sedimentary rocks on Earth. The famous red rock formations in Sedona, Arizona, and the ancient city of Petra are composed of sandstone.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its gritty texture and visible sand grains. Found globally in sedimentary basins. Collectors often look for colorful banding (wonderstone) or fossil inclusions.