sedimentary

Sandstone

Sedimentary Rock (Quartz arenite or arkose)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (for quartz grains); Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, or white; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic (composed of mineral particles or rock fragments cemented together); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (for quartz grains)
Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, or white
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified August 1, 2026More sedimentary →

Explore Sandstone in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (mostly quartz and feldspar) of sand size, typically in environments such as beaches, deserts, floodplains, and rivers.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in construction as building stone, paving material, and in the manufacturing of glass, concrete, and abrasives.

Geological facts

Sandstone formations can act as excellent aquifers for storing groundwater and are famous for preserving ancient trace fossils and ripple marks from ancient environments.