sedimentary

Sandstone

Clastic Sedimentary Rock

Hardness: 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale (depending on cement type); Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink, white, or black; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic (composed of mineral particles or rock fragments cemented together); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.2 to 2.8

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

Identified August 5, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, chiefly 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 as a building material, paving stone, decorative aggregate, and historically for grindstones and whetstones.

Geological facts

Sandstone formations often display distinct layering called cross-bedding, which records the direction of ancient winds or water currents. Famous monuments worldwide, including Petra in Jordan and parts of the Grand Canyon, are carved into or composed of sandstone.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its granular, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand-sized grains. Found worldwide in sedimentary basins, deserts, and coastal regions.