You must have come across the “silver sand vs. silica sand” debate when searching for materials you can rely on for your manufacturing or construction process.
Normally, people confuse the two sands.
The reason?
They look almost identical and are composed of nearly the same mineral.
So, if you don’t understand how they’re similar or how they differ, you might end up choosing the one that isn’t the right fit for your requirements.
And this can lead to:
- Material waste
- Substandard products
- Safety concerns in production processes
You can avoid such mistakes by understanding the difference between the sands.
In this blog, we’ll discuss exactly that, so that you can make an application-specific choice with complete clarity.
Silver Sand vs. Silica Sand: Table of Contents
- Silver Sand vs. Silica Sand: Table of differences
- What is silver sand?
- What is silica sand?
- What are the differences between silver sand and silica sand?
- Why does expert guidance matter in selecting the right sand?
- Silver Sand vs. Silica Sand: FAQs
Silver Sand vs. Silica Sand: Table of Differences
If you want to get a quick overview of the differences between the two sands, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s a table of the major differences:
| Factors | Silver Sand | Silica Sand |
| Composition | Lower silica content | Higher silica content |
| Appearance | Light grey to white | White to off-white |
| Grain Size and Shape | Smooth, fine-sized, rounded and uniform | Can be rough, angular or sub-rounded |
| Chemical Stability | Moderate chemical stability | Highly stable |
| Industrial Suitability | Limited to construction, landscaping, and play areas | Widely used in glassmaking, foundry, filtration, ceramics, and fracking |
What is Silver Sand?
Silver Sand is a refined or processed form of quartz sand that doesn’t contain any impurities, such as clay, silt, and salts.
Its texture is fine and has a light colour, due to which, it gets a clean and crisp look.
Silver sand has got two other names:
- Washed Silver Sand: Since it is washed and processed to remove contamination
- Soft Sand: Its soft texture makes it best for mortar mixing and seed propagation
Silver Sand Composition
- Silica content within the range of 95% and 99%
- Made from crushed and naturally weathered quartz grains
What Makes Silver Sand Unique
- Color: White or light grey
- Grain Size: Fine and uniform
- Purity: Impurities like clay or slit are very less
- Nature: It is chemically inert
Silver sand applications: Landscaping, gardening and construction.
What is Silica Sand?
Silica sand may appear to be ordinary sand, but it is quite different.
Basically, silica sand is an industrial-grade mineral composed of quartz, with a high content of silicon dioxide. Therefore, it is also known as “Quartz Sand” among businesses and silica sand manufacturers.
Silica Sand Composition
In terms of its composition, it contains 95% silicon dioxide.
Why is Silica Sand Popular?
The following physical properties of silica sand make it valuable to different industries:
- Grain Size: Available in a broad spectrum, from fine (sub-70 mesh) to coarse (16 mesh) grains
- Color: White to off-white (May also be light yellowish, due to some mineral content)
- Heat resistance: Can withstand extreme temperatures of over 1700°C and resists chemical degradation
- Chemical resistance: It is also Resistant to most chemicals
Silica sand applications: Glassmaking, metal casting, oil and gas, foundry, filtration, and ceramics.
What are the Differences Between Silver Sand and Silica Sand?
There are significant differences between silver and silica sand when it comes to certain factors. If you evaluate based on these factors, you’ll be able to choose the right material for your industry needs.
Let me walk you through the major differences between silica sand and silver sand:
1. Composition
Though both sand is made of quartz, the difference lies in their silica content. In silver sand, the silica content is about 95% to 99%. Plus, it is processed to remove iron oxide, clay, and other impurities, making it inert and non-reactive in nature.
On the other hand, silica sand typically contains approximately 95% silica and may also include other minerals such as:
- Mica
- Feldspar
- Iron oxides
- Clay
.Why it matters: You may need a specific type of sand for processes that require chemical neutrality, such as horticulture or decorative construction. In such cases, the purity of silica sand comes into play.
2. Appearance
The colour of silver sand is normally white to light grey, and each particle has a uniform tone, since it is processed. In terms of texture, it’s soft and powdery.
Regarding silica sand, it can have colour shades ranging from white to yellow, and this variation in shades depends on the level of contamination it contains. Plus, its particles are a bit rougher than those of silver sand.
Why it matters: In certain applications, such as brickwork or construction, consistency in color and a smooth texture are essential. However, if you’re working on a project like a sports field or a natural-looking landscape, silica sand is a better fit due to its rougher texture.
3. Grain Size and Shape
Since silver sand is formed through natural weathering, this process makes its particles round and uniform in shape. The particle size ranges, on average, from 0.06 mm to 0.2 mm.
In this aspect, silica sand provides a broader range. It can be as fine as 0.05 mm or as coarse as 0.5 mm to 2 mm in diameter. Plus, the shape can be sub-angular or angular.
Why it matters: It is the grains that decide how the sand will perform under pressure and its water-absorbing capacity. In the production of soil mixes and turf infills, silver sands’ grain size and shape can improve drainage and support root growth. On the other hand, silica sand performs better in sandblasting and foundry molds.
4. Chemical Stability
Since silver sand has an inert nature, it performs great in chemically neutral environments, such as gardening or mortar mixes. A mineral processing company notes it cannot withstand high temperatures, or, to be more precise, the industrial level of heat.
Silica sand is just its opposite. It is chemically stable and can handle temperatures of over 1700°C. That’s why it’s used in:
- Glassmaking
- Metal casting
- Refractories
- Chemical filtration systems
Why it matters: If you are going to use it for industrial purposes, where there’s intense heat, then silica sand performs exceptionally well and doesn’t lose its integrity. Silver sand isn’t meant to be used for industrial purposes. Rather, it can be used for neutral pH settings.
5. Industrial Applications
Considering all the factors mentioned above, along with the overall purity and consistency, silver sand is primarily used in construction and horticulture. If I say precisely, then it is mainly used for:
- Mortar mixes in light brickwork
- Topdressing in lawns
- As a drainage aid in potting soils
On the other hand, if we take silica sand, it targets a broader range of industries. The common silica sand applications are:
- Glass manufacturing
- Metal casting
- Ceramics and refractories
- Paints and coatings
- Oil & gas (as proppant in hydraulic fracturing)
- Water filtration systems
- Artificial turf infill
Why it matters: These two sands can cater to the profession or industrial markets, but you need to choose based on the specific application for which you need it.
Why Does Expert Guidance Matter in Selecting the Right Sand?
To keep it brief and simple, both may appear almost identical and are even composed of the same mineral, namely quartz.
But, if you look closely at the factor we discussed above, you’ll be able to identify the distinction and choose the right sand.
However, many projects fail to meet expectations, just because:
- No expert guidance during the selection process
- The sand came from an unreliable source
We are silica sand manufacturers and can help you with both!
At The Sharad Group, we manufacture and supply minerals that are:
- Processed to precision
- Refined to perfection
- Tested for purity and high quality
We have served silica sand and many other minerals to businesses of different industries for decades.
Thus, our team is here to help you make a decision that is backed by material science and years of industry experience.
Connect with us to learn more about our comprehensive range of mineral solutions.
Silver Sand vs. Silica Sand: FAQs
1. Can silver sand be used instead of silica sand in construction projects?
Yes definitely! Silver sand can be used as a substitute for silica sand in construction projects. And that’s particularly for applications like:
- Paving
- Jointing
- Block Filling
2. What is the main difference between silver sand and silica sand?
The main difference between silver sand and silica sand is in their composition:
- The impurity content in silver sand is less. Plus, it is fine-textured and mostly used in construction and landscaping.
- On the other hand, silica sand contains silicon dioxide of over 95%, and since it is superior in chemical and thermal properties, it is used in glassmaking, ceramics, and filtration systems.
3. What are the major uses of silica sand?
Silica sand is mainly used in:
- Glass manufacturing for producing flat glass, bottles, and fiberglass
- Foundries for Casting molds
- Oil and gas production as a proppant for hydraulic fracturing
- Ceramics, paints, coatings, construction materials, and water filtration systems
4. Is silver sand more expensive than regular silica sand?
Yes, silver sand can be more expensive than regular silica sand if:
- It is additionally cleaned and processed
- It becomes free from clay or salt
It then becomes suitable for applications such as mortar mixing, paving, and sandpits.
