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 — that is 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 →

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.