sedimentary

Sandstone

Quartzose Sandstone (Sedimentary Rock)

Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); Color: Tan, brown, reddish-brown, yellow, or grey; Luster: Dull to vitreous on fractured crystal faces; Crystal structure: Clastic texture composed of cemented mineral particles or rock fragments; Cleavage: None (fractures across grains); Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale (due to quartz grains)
Color: Tan, brown, reddish-brown, yellow, or grey
Luster: Dull to vitreous on fractured crystal faces

Identified August 5, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (predominantly quartz sand) in environments such as deserts, rivers, beaches, and shallow marine waters over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in construction as building stone, paving material, and dimension stone, as well as in the manufacture of glass and abrasives.

Geological facts

Sandstone is porous and permeable, making it an excellent natural aquifer capable of storing large quantities of groundwater and petroleum.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified in the field by its visibly grainy, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand grains. Found worldwide in sedimentary basins, riverbeds, and coastal regions.

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Sandstone or Siltstone

Arenite (if sandstone)

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Generic Pebble / Rock Fragment

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Sedimentary Sandstone

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Banded Siltstone / Mudstone Pebble

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