Rock Identifier
Sandstone (Quartz Arenite / Clastic Sedimentary Rock) — sedimentary
sedimentary

Sandstone

Quartz Arenite / Clastic Sedimentary Rock

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); Color: tan, yellow, brown, red, grey, or white; Luster: dull to earthy; Crystal structure: clastic (composed of mineral particles or rock fragments cemented together); Cleavage: none; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness
6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains)
Color
tan, yellow, brown, red, grey, or white
Luster
dull to earthy
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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); Color: tan, yellow, brown, red, grey, or white; Luster: dull to earthy; Crystal structure: clastic (composed of mineral particles or rock fragments cemented together); Cleavage: none; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (mostly quartz and feldspar) sized between 1/16 mm and 2 mm, typically deposited in environments like beaches, deserts, floodplains, and shallow marine waters over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in construction as a building material, paving stone, landscaping, and historically for whetstones and grindstones.

Geological facts

Sandstone is porous, which allows it to act as an aquifer, storing large amounts of groundwater and trapping petroleum and natural gas.

Field identification & locations

Easily identifiable by its sandy texture, visible grain structure, and layered appearance. Found worldwide in sedimentary basins and eroded cliffs.

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