How can you tell what minerals occur in a cement? Simply remember the basic physical properties of the minerals (e. g., hardness, the ability to react with HCl, color). With these properties in mind, answer the following questions concerning sandstone, a type of sedimentary rock consisting of cemented-together grains of quartz sand. he cement (but not the grains) in a sedimentary rock reacts when in contact with dilute HCI. The cement consists of .