Bluestone is a commercial term for a variety of hard, dense, fine-grained, feldspathic sandstone that splits easily into thin slabs. It is highly valued in construction and landscaping for its durability and characteristic blue-gray coloration. It is primarily found in sedimentary layers, most famously throughout the Appalachian Plateau.

Hardness

3-7

Mohs

Luster

Dull

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

sedimentarycommon

Bluestone

Hardness: 3-7
Luster: Dull
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this bluestone?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch bluestone with a known reference. Bluestone sits at Mohs 3-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bluestone leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Bluestone typically shows a dull luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue, gray, bluish-gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

Bluestone vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside bluestone

Minerals reported to co-occur with bluestone. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Mohs hardness: 3-7
Density: 2.5-2.8 g/cm³
Colors: Blue Gray Bluish-gray
Streak: White
Luster: Dull
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Construction, Architectural, Decorative
Host rock: Sedimentary Basin
Typical price: $1-10 per square foot for raw stone

Where rockhounds find bluestone

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Pennsylvania
New York
United Kingdom

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary basin country, the host setting where bluestone typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, clay minerals in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Nevada. Start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for bluestone →

More bluestone photos

Common questions

How do you identify bluestone?+

Mohs hardness is 3-7. It typically shows a dull luster. The streak is white. Common colors include blue, gray, bluish-gray.

Where is bluestone found?+

Notable localities include Pennsylvania; New York; United Kingdom.

Can I find bluestone in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 bluestone rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states. The top states are Nevada.

How much is bluestone worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $1-10 per square foot for raw stone. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like bluestone?+

Bluestone is most often confused with Sandstone, Shale, Siltstone. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with bluestone?+

Bluestone commonly co-occurs with quartz, feldspar, clay minerals. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bluestone form in?+

Bluestone typically forms in sedimentary basin. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bluestone used for?+

Bluestone is used in construction, architectural, decorative.

Find bluestone on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.