sedimentary

Sandstone

Sedimentary Rock (Quartz Arenite)

Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Varies widely including tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink, white, and black; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments; Cleavage: None (fractures unevenly); Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified July 30, 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—usually in environments like deserts, rivers, beaches, or shallow marine areas over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction as a building material, paving stone, and decorative aggregate, as well as in manufacturing glass and abrasives.

Geological facts

Sandstone is porous and permeable, making it an excellent aquifer for storing groundwater and natural gas. Many of the world's most famous monuments and temples, such as Petra in Jordan and parts of the Egyptian pyramids, are carved directly out of sandstone formations.

Field identification & locations

Identifiable by its characteristic grainy, sandpaper-like texture and visible bedding planes or layers. Common globally wherever ancient deserts, rivers, or shorelines existed. Look for well-sorted sandy grains under a hand lens.