sedimentary

Sandstone

Clastic Sedimentary Rock

Hardness: 6 to 7 (due to quartz grains); Color: tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, white; Luster: dull to earthy; Structure: clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments; Specific Gravity: 2.2 to 2.8

Hardness: 6 to 7 (due to quartz grains)
Color: tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, white
Luster: dull to earthy

Identified July 28, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, mostly composed of quartz and feldspar, deposited by water, wind, or ice in environments such as deserts, beaches, and rivers over millions of years.

Uses & applications

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

Geological facts

Sandstone is porous and permeable, making it an excellent natural reservoir for groundwater, oil, and natural gas. Famous monuments around the world, including Petra in Jordan and parts of the White House in the United States, are carved or built from sandstone.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand grains cemented together. Found globally in sedimentary basins, cliffs, and desert regions.