sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite (SiO2 with various cementing minerals)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, brown, or buff; Luster: Dull to earthy; Texture: Gritty, sand-like grains; Porosity: High; Structure: Clastic
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan, brown, or buff
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, brown, or buff; Luster: Dull to earthy; Texture: Gritty, sand-like grains; Porosity: High; Structure: Clastic
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (sand) over millions of years in environments like beaches, deserts, or river beds.
Uses & applications
Widely used for construction, paving material, grindstones, and as a reservoir rock for petroleum and groundwater.
Geological facts
Sandstone can vary in color depending on its mineral content; red sandstone indicates iron oxide, while yellow-tan suggests goethite or limonite. It makes up about 20% of all sedimentary rocks on Earth.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive sandpaper-like feel. It is found globally in sedimentary basins. Collectors often look for fossil inclusions or unique bedding patterns.
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Brown Sandstone (River Rock)
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Sandstone Grain
Clastic Sedimentary Rock Grain (SiO2 dominated)
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