sedimentary
Sandstone
Sedimentary Rock (Quartz arenite/Arkose)
Hardness: 6-7 (depending on cement); Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, gray, pink; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments, primarily quartz and feldspar; Cleavage: None, breaks along bedding planes; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8
- Hardness
- 6-7 (depending on cement)
- Color
- Tan, brown, yellow, red, gray, pink
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (depending on cement); Color: Tan, brown, yellow, red, gray, pink; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments, primarily quartz and feldspar; Cleavage: None, breaks along bedding planes; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, usually composed mostly of quartz, in environments such as deserts, beaches, floodplains, 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 formations can be very thick and resistant to weathering, which is why they form many of the most dramatic and famous desert landscapes and canyons in the world, such as Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its gritty texture (feels like sandpaper) and visible sand grains cemented together, often showing distinct parallel bedding layers. Found worldwide.
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Sedimentary Sandstone
Arenite (Sedimentary Rock)
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Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
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Generic Pebble / Rock Fragment
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Banded Siltstone / Mudstone Pebble
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