sedimentary

Weathered sandstone or fine-grained sedimentary rock

Quartz-rich sandstone, possibly arkose or lithic sandstone

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Brown, dull to earthy luster, fine-grained and apparently porous, with subtle bedding or weathering streaks. Likely Mohs hardness 6–7 for quartz grains, but the surface may crumble; cleavage absent and specific gravity commonly 2.2–2.7.

Identified August 14, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Cemented sand-sized grains deposited by rivers, beaches, dunes, or shallow seas, then lithified; its exact geological age cannot be determined from the image. Brown coloration commonly reflects iron-oxide staining.

Uses & applications

Used as building stone, paving, aggregate, and occasionally decorative stone; ordinary specimens have little collector value.

Geological facts

Sandstone can preserve ripple marks, cross-bedding, fossils, or ancient desert and shoreline environments. The elongated shape appears naturally weathered or possibly worked, but no definitive artifact features are visible.

Field identification & locations

Look for visible sand grains, porous texture, bedding, and fizz-free behavior in dilute acid; a steel nail usually scratches the cement but not quartz grains. Common worldwide, especially in sedimentary basins; value is typically $1–$10 for an ordinary hand specimen, or $20–$100 if fossiliferous, unusually patterned, or demonstrably archaeological.