sedimentary

Weathered iron-rich sandstone or laterite fragment

Ferruginous sandstone, likely hematite/goethite-cemented sandstone (exact identification requires testing)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness typically 5–7, rusty red-brown with gray patches, dull to earthy luster, fine-grained and massive; iron staining and a prominent fracture are visible. It may feel moderately heavy, but no diagnostic crystal cleavage is apparent.

Identified August 8, 2026More sedimentary →

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At a glance

Common name: Weathered iron-rich sandstone or laterite fragment
Scientific name: Ferruginous sandstone, likely hematite/goethite-cemented sandstone (exact identification requires testing)
Category: sedimentary
Identified: August 8, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Typically $1–$10 as an unexceptional specimen; more attractive or unusually iron-rich pieces may bring $10–$30.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed when quartz-rich sand was cemented by iron oxides, or when iron-rich soil/laterite hardened during intense weathering. Its age cannot be determined from the photograph; such materials occur from Precambrian to recent deposits.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as low-grade building or landscaping stone and occasionally as an iron-ore material if iron content is high. This ordinary weathered fragment has little jewelry value.

Geological facts

The red coloration commonly comes from hematite and the yellow-brown tones from goethite or limonite. A dark red streak, magnetism, and density tests can help distinguish ferruginous sandstone from ordinary sandstone.

Field identification & locations

Common in arid, tropical, and strongly weathered terrains, including Australia, India, Africa, and the Americas. Check streak on unglazed porcelain, hardness against steel/glass, and texture with a hand lens; acid reaction should be absent.