sedimentary

Sandstone

Arenite (principally SiO2)

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Tan, brown, or reddish-brown due to iron oxidation; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Clastic; Texture: Gritty, sandpaper-like feel.

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs)
Color: Tan, brown, or reddish-brown due to iron oxidation
Luster: Dull/Earthy

Identified July 15, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Tan, brown, or reddish-brown due to iron oxidation; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Clastic; Texture: Gritty, sandpaper-like feel.

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments, typically through water, wind, or ice processes in desert or marine environments.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in construction as a building stone, flagstone for paving, for making grindstones, and as a reservoir rock in the petroleum industry.

Geological facts

Sandstone is highly porous, making it an excellent natural aquifer for groundwater and a critical trap for oil and natural gas deposits. It covers large areas of the Earth's crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its gritty texture (feels like sandpaper) and visible sand grains. It is commonly found in sedimentary basins, canyons, and coastal bluffs. For collectors, it is a foundational geological specimen.