sedimentary

Sandstone

Sedimentary Rock (Quartz Sandstone)

Hardness: 6 to 7 (due to quartz grains); Color: Varies widely including red, brown, yellow, grey, white, and pink; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.2 to 2.8

Hardness: 6 to 7 (due to quartz grains)
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified August 2, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, predominantly quartz and feldspar, typically deposited by water, wind, or ice in environments like deserts, rivers, beaches, and shallow seas. Can range in geological age from recent deposits to billions of years old.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction as a building material, dimension stone, flagstone, paving stone, and historically for grindstones and whetstones.

Geological facts

Sandstone formations can be exceptionally porous and permeable, making them significant natural reservoirs for groundwater, petroleum, and natural gas. Famous geological monuments like Zion National Park and Petra are carved entirely out of massive sandstone layers.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its distinct grainy, sandpaper-like texture on broken surfaces and visible mineral grains. Found worldwide in sedimentary basins, cliffs, riverbeds, and desert regions.