sedimentary
Sandstone
Sandstone (Quartzose/Feldspathic Sandstone)
Hardness: 6-7 (varies with cementation); Color: Buff, tan, reddish-brown, yellow; Luster: Earthy, dull, or grainy; Texture: Medium-grained, gritty feel like sandpaper; Cleavage: None.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (varies with cementation)
- Color
- Buff, tan, reddish-brown, yellow
- Luster
- Earthy, dull, or grainy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (varies with cementation); Color: Buff, tan, reddish-brown, yellow; Luster: Earthy, dull, or grainy; Texture: Medium-grained, gritty feel like sandpaper; Cleavage: None.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the consolidation and cementation of sand-sized grains, predominantly quartz and feldspar, deposited by wind, water, or ice in desert, river, or coastal environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a construction material, paving stone, decorative landscaping rock, and historically for grinding stones and architectural carvings.
Geological facts
Sandstone formations house some of the world's most famous natural landscapes, such as the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Petra in Jordan.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinct gritty sandpaper texture and visible sand grains under magnification. Common in sedimentary basins, riverbeds, canyons, and coastal cliffs worldwide.
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