sedimentary

Sandstone

Quartz Arenite / Clastic Sedimentary Rock

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); color ranges from white, tan, yellow, red, to brown; luster is dull to earthy; crystal structure is clastic with mineral grains bound by a matrix; specific gravity is 2.2-2.8.

Identified August 4, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

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

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction as building stone, paving material, flagstones, and in the manufacture of glass and abrasives.

Geological facts

Many of the world's most famous ancient monuments, such as the temples of Petra and parts of the Egyptian pyramids, were carved directly out of massive sandstone formations.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its characteristic gritty texture like sandpaper and visible sand-sized grains. Found worldwide in regions with ancient sedimentary basins.