Types of Sand

Types of Beach Sand

 Waianapanapa, Maui Sand

If you ever make a trip to Hawaii and you drive on the road to Hana on the island of Maui, stop at Waianapanapa Beach.  The type of sand that makes up this beach is black and beautiful.  Unlike the beige colored sand depicted on most beaches, you can see the sand is composed of basalt (lava) which is weathered by the tides and wind of the ocean.   

Cabo, Baja Mexico Sand
There are some beaches that aren't made of grains and minerals.  Some beaches are made up of tiny, morsel sized pieces of broken shells.  When you take a stroll on a beach made up of tiny pieces of shell, you will feel how rough, coarse and lumpy the sand is against your feet.  The sand in Baja is made up more than just decomposed rocks.  In this area there is very little rain, so this type of sand originates from many other natural resources.

Huahini, Tahiti Sand
If you ever visit Tahiti, you will discover that most of the beaches in Tahiti are predominately white and made up of finely, divided bits of coral.  All the islands there are secure and protected by barrier reefs so there is little interference from wave action.  The type of sand on this beach makes it a French Polynesian treat.

Types of Sand at Work

Lumber Yard Sand
If you thought a visit to the beach was the only place to go to experience different types of sand, think again.  There is no need to live near a beach when you can sometimes find sand practically in your backyard or at your place of business.  For instance, your local lumber company is a place where bricks, concrete and wood are sold for home, business and private use.  It's also a place where large bags of sand are sold.  Sand at a lumber company is used for sandblasting or to mix cement.  The type of sand in these bags is usually white, very fine and very pure quartz.  If you're not sure it's the kind of sand you need, ask for a sample.

Sand has been used for commercial and building purposes for ages.  In addition to the basic building purposes, it can be combined with other materials to create new materials or be used as a reinforcing substance.  The building uses of sand include;

• Sand casting-molding material
• Glass-where sand is the main ingredient
• Bricks layered with sand for decorative purposes
• Grainy, textured paint layered with sand
• Landscaping of front and backyards

Decorative Sand

When it comes to being artistic, sand usually plays a big role.  Sand used to fulfill art purposes, comes in an assortment of colors.  The texture is usually very fine and has a bit of a hidden sparkle.  It is a great design to put in glasses for table centerpieces, sand ceremonies, wedding and wedding anniversaries.

Sometimes salt is used as a substitute for sand for decorative purposes.  Salt becomes multi-colored sand by using salt, food coloring and a re-sealable bag.  First pour half a cup of salt into a re-sealable bag.  Second, apply several drops of food coloring into the bag, then place your fingers on the outside of the bag to mix the color into the salt.  The more food coloring you add to the bag make sure it doesn't start to dissolve chunks of salt.  Be sure to blend it well in order to prevent the salt from melting.  Once all the colors are dry, pour the salt back into its individual re-sealable bags. 

Another type of salt sand idea would be to take a glass jar or a used jelly or mustard jar and fill it with sand art.  This would make the perfect gift for desks, home mantelpieces and birthday gift exchange.  There are many different types of craft ideas to create with sand art.  Sand art can be used as the perfect form of expression.  By starting with the necessary supplies, such as a variety of sand in different colors, you can buy bottles, jars, glitter and modes for shaping and forming the sand.  Once you gather all your supplies together, you must decide what type of sand you want to make.

Sand art is a well known craft in warmer climates.  There are so many different types of techniques, materials and subjects to be used when doing different sand crafts.  Professional sand artists and sculptors have several ways to build, maintain and create sand art pieces.  Because sand is so fine and unstable, most artists will nail together 2 foot wooden pieces to support the sand.   

Sand sculptors use hand tools, so art supplies range from shovels, palette, straws and trowels.  When creating fantasy sand art, the most popular theme is used.  Whether it's sci-fi, aliens or beautiful creatures like mermaids, there is endless possibilities for artistic expression. 

There are numerous sand art bottling companies to buy from.  Items such as necklaces, picture frames, ornaments, bottles to flower pots are sold at sand art manufacturing companies.  Even though sand has evolved into a decorative collectors item, it is still the most relaxing granular material to run your fingers through on a beach.