• Four views of option A, a flat piece curved on one edge, with a rounded top. The piece has thin dark iron bands through it, forming good scallop patterning in places. The sandstone has subtle layering, tinted red at one iron band and fading to light at the next iron band.
  • Several small freeform pieces of red sandstone with flat bottoms spread over a tabletop, with similarly colored gravel under them.
  • Option F held at an angle to focus on a formation of rings on one edge of the red sandstone that form an image resembling the Virgin Mary with a halo, holding the baby Christ.
  • Four views of option B, a rounded squarish piece with sides wider than the center. The sandstone has good layering, with some scalloping across the base, darker layers ringing one corner, and curved lines across the center.
  • Four views of option C, an amorphous triangular blob coming to a rounded point. The piece is split nearly in half between lighter and darker red banding, with a few thin dark veins through it.
  • Four views of option D, a flat asymmetric piece of sandstone with several bold iron bands running through it. There is subtle layering, with a color gradient between iron bands from darker red at one band to lighter red at the next.
  • Four views of option E, a tall rectangular piece with sides wider than the center. The piece has excellent contrast in layering on all sides, with some thin dark bands.
  • Four views of option F, an irregular tall rounded piece with one flat side that is mostly light colored with red rings of layering along one edge that look like the Madonna and child. The other side has excellent layering emphasized by the center coming out to a raised edge.
  • Four views of option G, a rounded triangular piece with very good layering, and a thin dark band running through the top. The back side has some red splotching, and interesting crinkled veins across it.
  • Four views of option H, a light-colored triangular piece with one bold thin dark iron band down the middle. The piece has light layers that fade in gradient to near-white in areas.
  • Scale image showing options A through H on a measuring mat. Dimensions are at the end of the full description.
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Sandstone standing freeform, small Arizona Sierra

Sandstone standing freeform, small Arizona Sierra

$12.50 USD
$12.50 USD
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Locale: Arizona

Approx size and weight 3/4–1 1/3 lb, variable by piece; dimensions at end.

 

These sandstone standing freeforms mimic the wind-swept landscape of Utah’s national parks. They are made of Arizona Sierra sandstone sourced from central Arizona.

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed of sand compacted and cemented together through geological processes, giving it a grainy texture. Sandstone with distinct layering like this is often called ‘picture stone’ because the layers resemble a southwestern landscape (or, in the case of Option F, I see a Madonna and child). It is often cut into flat slabs to best show the layering, and nicer pieces are even framed for display.

The orange-red coloration of these arches is caused by iron. People often assume “Arizona Sierra” simply refers to the material’s locale, but it’s actually a trade name for sandstone from this locale that has been heat-treated to intensify its red color. 

These freeforms are created by sandblasting chunks of the material into a smoothed piece. The dark iron bands are harder than the surrounding sandstone and create ridges as the softer material is more quickly sandblasted away—just like the material would erode in nature.

All pieces have a flat bottom for display. Sandstone makes a nice decorative accent piece around the home, a succulent collection, or in a desert terrarium. I put a few pieces I broke into tanks and my isopods have enjoyed climbing them. Just be aware sandstone is a porous rock that will soak up water over time if used in wetter terrariums. This doesn’t seem to cause any issues other than some discoloration and spotty “growth” on the rock over time. Place it on a surface that will stay dry to avoid this.

Approx. dimensions:
A - 4.25 x 3.25 x 1"
B - 3.25 x 3 x 1.5"
C - 4 x 3.75 x 2"
D - 4 x 3.5 x 1.25"
E - 4.25 x 3 x 1.5"
F - 4.75 x 2.75 x 1.5"
G - 3.25 x 3.75 x 1.5"
H - 4 x 3.25 x 1.5"

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