sedimentary

Sandstone

Sedimentary Clastic Rock (Quartz Arenite)

Hardness on Mohs scale: 6 to 7 for quartz-rich varieties; Color ranges from tan, brown, yellow, red, gray, to pink; Luster is typically dull or earthy; Crystal structure is clastic with mineral grains bound by a matrix; Cleavage is absent; Specific gravity is approximately 2.2 to 2.8.

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, principally quartz and feldspar, usually 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 flagstones; historically used for making grindstones and monuments.

Geological facts

Sandstone formations can be porous and permeable, making them excellent aquifers for storing groundwater and natural reservoirs for oil and natural gas.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified in the field by its visible grainy texture like sandpaper and distinct bedding layers; common worldwide, particularly in arid regions and ancient river basins.

Other sedimentary specimens

See all

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

Banded Siltstone / Mudstone Pebble

Siltstone / Argillite

sedimentary

Sedimentary Sandstone

Arenite (Sedimentary Rock)

sedimentary