sedimentary

Weathered sandstone or iron-rich sedimentary rock

Quartz-rich sandstone, likely ferruginous sandstone; composition mainly SiO₂ with iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Tan-brown, dull to earthy luster, visibly granular and porous, with rusty iron-oxide staining; individual grains suggest quartz cement. Typical hardness is about 6–7 for quartz grains, but the rock may crumble along weak cemented surfaces; cleavage absent and specific gravity about 2.2–2.6.

Identified August 13, 2026More sedimentary →

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At a glance

Common name: Weathered sandstone or iron-rich sedimentary rock
Scientific name: Quartz-rich sandstone, likely ferruginous sandstone; composition mainly SiO₂ with iron oxides
Category: sedimentary
Identified: August 13, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $1–$10 for an ordinary hand specimen; potentially $20–$100 if unusually attractive, fossiliferous, or from a documented locality.

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

Formed when sand accumulated, was compacted, and cemented, then stained or cemented by iron oxides during weathering or groundwater circulation. Its precise geological age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Common sandstone is used as building stone, paving, aggregate, and occasionally decorative material; this specimen has little commercial or jewelry value unless it has unusual fossils or mineralization.

Geological facts

The orange-brown coloration commonly comes from hematite or goethite coatings between quartz grains. Iron-rich sandstone can weather into porous, irregular fragments like those shown.

Field identification & locations

Look for gritty texture, visible sand grains, layered bedding, and a streak or coating of iron oxide; it should not fizz strongly with dilute hydrochloric acid. Common worldwide, especially in former river, beach, dune, and desert environments.