sedimentary

Sandstone

Sedimentary quartz arenite

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, or white; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral grains or rock particles, predominantly quartz; Cleavage: None, fractures along bedding planes; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, or white
Luster: Dull to vitreous

Identified August 4, 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

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

Geological facts

Sandstone formations can store vast amounts of groundwater and natural gas, making them important reservoirs for aquifers and petroleum.

Field identification & locations

Easily identifiable by its grainy texture that feels like sandpaper and visible layered bedding. Found worldwide in deserts, riverbeds, and mountainous regions.