sedimentary

Sandstone

Clastic sedimentary rock

Hardness: 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale (depending on cement); Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink, white; Luster: Dull to earthy; Structure: Clastic, composed of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments; Specific gravity: 2.2 to 2.8

Hardness: 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale (depending on cement)
Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink, white
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified July 29, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the accumulation, cementation, and compaction of mineral particles or rock fragments (predominantly quartz and feldspar) in environments such as beaches, deserts, floodplains, and rivers over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction as building stone, paving material, and in the production of concrete and glass; also used as an aquifer reservoir rock for groundwater and petroleum.

Geological facts

Sandstone formations like the Navajo Sandstone create iconic geological monuments and slot canyons across the American Southwest, carved by wind and water erosion over millennia.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its gritty texture like sandpaper and visible sand grains; commonly found worldwide in sedimentary basins, desert regions, and ancient riverbeds.