sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite (SiO2 primarily)
Mohs hardness: 6-7, color: tan/brown/yellow, luster: dull/earthy, texture: clastic (gritty), structure: massive or layered.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness: 6-7, color: tan/brown/yellow, luster: dull/earthy, texture: clastic (gritty), structure: massive or layered.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments over millions of years in deserts, riverbeds, or ocean basins.
Uses & applications
Widely used for construction, decorative stone, pavement, and as an aquifer for groundwater and petroleum reservoirs.
Geological facts
Sandstone is highly porous and permeable, making it the most common rock type to harbor natural gas and oil. Some sandstones contain fossils of ancient life.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its gritty feel (like sandpaper). Common in arid regions and canyon landscapes. Collectors look for unique banding patterns like 'picture sandstone'.
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Other sedimentary specimens
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Fossiliferous Concretion
Septarian Concretion containing Brachiopods/Crinoids
fossil
Shale
Shale (clastic sedimentary rock)
sedimentary
Brown Sandstone (River Rock)
Arenite
sedimentary
Mudstone
Argillite / Siliciclastic sedimentary rock
sedimentary
Cone-in-cone structure (Limestone)
Cone-in-cone structure (Secondary Sedimentary Structure)
sedimentary