sedimentary
Sandstone
Sedimentary Clastic Rock (Quartz Arenite)
Hardness is typically 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale depending on cementation; colors vary widely including tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, and pink; luster is dull or earthy; composed primarily of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments, mostly quartz and feldspar; non-foliated with a granular texture;…
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Sandstone in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness is typically 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale depending on cementation; colors vary widely including tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, and pink; luster is dull or earthy; composed primarily of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments, mostly quartz and feldspar; non-foliated with a granular texture; specific gravity ranges from 2.2 to 2.8.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, usually in environments such as deserts, beaches, floodplains, and shallow marine waters over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Extensively used as a construction material for building, paving stones, flagstones, and historically for grinding stones and whetstones.
Geological facts
Sandstone formations often display distinct parallel layering called bedding or cross-bedding which reveals ancient wind or water current directions. Famous structures like Petra in Jordan and the US Capitol are built from sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its gritty texture, visible sand grains, and layered sedimentary structure. It is found worldwide in sedimentary basins and geological formations exposed at the surface.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Fossiliferous Concretion
Septarian Concretion containing Brachiopods/Crinoids
fossil
Quartz pebble
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
sedimentary
Generic Pebble / Rock Fragment
Lithic fragment / Weathered rock
sedimentary
Sedimentary Sandstone
Arenite (Sedimentary Rock)
sedimentary
Banded Siltstone / Mudstone Pebble
Siltstone / Argillite
sedimentary