sedimentary

Sandstone

Sedimentary Rock (Quartz Sandstone)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); Color: Pinkish-red, tan, brown, or grey; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments, primarily quartz.

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains)
Color: Pinkish-red, tan, brown, or grey
Luster: Dull to vitreous

Identified August 2, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, most commonly quartz and feldspar, deposited by water, wind, or ice in environments such as deserts, rivers, and beaches over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in construction, building facades, paving stones, flagstones, and historically as grindstones.

Geological facts

Sandstone is porous and permeable, making it an excellent natural reservoir for groundwater, petroleum, and natural gas. Famous monuments like Petra in Jordan and Uluru in Australia are carved from or composed of sandstone.

Field identification & locations

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