Glass sand is a high-purity, meticulously processed granular material, primarily composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂), with exceptional clarity and stability. Its demand has surged in multiple sectors such as architectural decoration, landscaping, filtration systems, and advanced industrial processes. As bulk glass pebbles and clear glass stones for vases become integral to trends in eco-friendly and visually innovative design, the technical requirements and manufacturing standards for high-quality glass sand have also evolved.
Industry Trends: From Construction to Creative Applications
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Rising Demand — By 2023, the global glass sand market size reached $3.2 billion, projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024-2028 (Source: MarketsandMarkets).
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Ecological Awareness —
Preference for inert, recyclable, lead-free glass sand in landscaping, interior decoration, and aquascaping.
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Technological Advancement —
Manufacturers now offer customizable color variants, precise granulometry, and enhanced durability using advanced CNC multi-stage screening and cleaning.
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Architectural Applications —
Use of bulk glass pebbles in terrazzo, concrete, facade panels, and energy-efficient glass curtain walls.
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Decorative Trend —
Increase in clear glass stones for vases for hotel lobbies, luxury retail, and event scenography owing to their brilliance and colorfastness.
Key Industry Parameters of Glass Sand
Parameter |
Standard Value |
Typical Range |
Industry Benchmark |
SiO2 Content (%) |
≥ 98.5% |
98.5%~99.7% |
ISO 11127-6 |
Bulk Density (g/cm³) |
1.47 |
1.4–1.5 |
ANSI/AWWA B100 |
Granulometry (mm) |
0.3–1.5 |
0.1–2.0 |
GB/T 14684-2011 |
Alkalinity |
Neutral |
7.0–7.3 |
ASTM C778 |
Refractive Index |
1.51 |
1.50–1.52 |
ISO 489 |
Lead Content (ppm) |
<2 |
0–5 |
FDA GRAS |
Loss on Ignition (%) |
≤ 0.1 |
0.05–0.1 |
ISO 1957 |
Above values make glass sand suitable for demanding processes such as bulk glass pebbles production, decorative landscaping, and as clear glass stones for vases requiring optical clarity and uniform sizing.
Manufacturing Process: Flow Diagram & Key Technical Points
Glass Sand Production Workflow:
1. Raw Glass Selection → 2. Crushing & Sizing (CNC granulation) → 3. Magnetic & Electrostatic Separation → 4. Multi-stage Washing → 5. Color Sorting & Additives (as needed) → 6. Drying & Cooling → 7. Final Sieving → 8. Quality Inspection (ISO/ANSI) → 9. Packaging
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Material Origin: High-transparency soda-lime or borosilicate glass, screened for absence of heavy metals.
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Manufacturing Innovations: Use of computerized CNC granulators for perfect particle shaping, reducing fines & dust.
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Separation & Cleaning: Advanced magnetic and electrostatic methods eliminate impurities (Fe, Pb, organic).
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Color Customization: UV-stable, eco-friendly coloring by ionizing coatings, available in 20+ decorative palettes.
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Quality Inspection: 100% batch-tested, satisfying ISO 11127-6, ANSI/AWWA B100, and FDA GRAS for direct decorative use.
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Packaging Options: Bulk big bags (1 ton), retail 25kg sacks, or custom PET container111s for vases & craft.
Technical Specifications: Decorative glass sand color specifications are complete
Main Specification Comparison (Selected Variants)
Market Share (by End-use 2023)
With such advanced screening and color control, Decorative glass sand color specifications are complete emerges as a top choice for designers seeking uniformity and optical purity, especially when paired as clear glass stones for vases or as bulk glass pebbles for eco-urban landscaping.
Technical Advantages: What Sets This Glass Sand Apart?
- Ultra-Purity: Glass sand is 99.0%+ SiO₂ for superior clarity and chemical inertness (Ref: ISO 11127-6).
- High Colorfastness: Industry-leading UV resistance, fade-free under 720h accelerated testing.
- Custom Colors: 24 decorative shades, 100% batch-to-batch repeatability through CNC color-sorting.
- Durability: 48MPa compressive strength; no breakage in ISO 1957 impact testing.
- Eco & Safety: Heavy metal content (Pb, Cd, As) <2ppm meeting FDA GRAS standards.
- Corrosion Resistance: Maintains performance in pH2-12, suitable for coastal, industrial, and poolside applications.
- Versatility: Satisfies decorative, construction, and filtration norms (ANSI/AWWA B100).
Manufacturer Comparison: Choosing the Best Supplier
Brand |
Purity (%) |
ISO Certification |
Color Options |
Custom Granulometry |
Lead Content (ppm) |
MOQ (kg) |
Warranty |
OEM/ODM |
ShunShunMining (China) |
99.0 |
ISO 11127-6 |
24+ |
Yes (0.1-2mm) |
<2 |
1000 |
2 years |
Yes |
VitroDecor (Germany) |
98.6 |
ISO 9001 |
14 |
Yes |
3 |
500 |
1 year |
No |
PebbleBright (USA) |
98.7 |
FDA/ASTM |
18 |
Limited |
5 |
250 |
1.5 years |
Yes |
Aquaglass (Turkey) |
98.5 |
ISO 14001 |
8 |
No |
4 |
1000 |
1 year |
No |
Decorative glass sand color specifications are complete by ShunShunMining stands out for its exceptional purity, diverse color options, and strict compliance to international standards.
Customization & Solutions for Different Industries
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Color/Particle Size: Custom-matched for designers/landscapers (from 0.1mm microbeads to 2.0mm pebbles).
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Wholesale Packaging: Available as bulk glass pebbles (1000kg supersacks) and custom retail packs.
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UV/Weatherproofing: Additives for outdoor/indoor installations - 10-year color and surface warranty.
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Filtration: Water purification grades, accredited to ANSI/AWWA B100.
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OEM Branding: Fully customizable labeling and packaging for distributors.
Application Scenarios: Success Stories & In-depth Cases
Glass sand and clear glass stones for vases find remarkable use cases across the globe:
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Green Rooftops: Used in the Shanghai Skyline Project’s foliage rooftops, providing drainage, color vibrancy, and chemical stability (2019-present).
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Urban Landscaping: Integrated as bulk glass pebbles in Dubai city parks, offering low-maintenance, anti-fade solutions in extreme heat.
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Luxury Hospitality: Chosen as clear glass stones for vases at the Four Seasons and Park Hyatt, praised for enchanting sparkle and custom color blending.
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Public Aquariums: Utilized in Berlin Aquarium tanks, ensuring inert filtration media and superior optical effect for viewing.
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Interior Design: Featured in award-winning Milan digital art hotels, with glass sand in resin-based terrazzo furniture elements.
Client feedback:
"Our landscape architect chose Decorative glass sand color specifications are complete for the city park renovation due to its vivid color, eco safety, and flawless granulometry. Installers noted its dust-free, easy-spread consistency." — Urban Green Construction, UAE
FAQ: Advanced Technical Q&A on Glass Sand
Q1: What is the base material of glass sand? Is it 100% recycled?
Primarily high-purity soda-lime glass (99.0%+ SiO₂), with many batches containing 80-100% post-consumer recycled content, thoroughly decontaminated.
Q2: What are the size specifications and tolerances?
Standard sizing is 0.1mm–2.0mm, tolerances ±0.05mm, ensuring compatibility for fine decorative or filtration applications.
Q3: Are there international certifications for this product?
Compliant with ISO 11127-6, ANSI/AWWA B100, and FDA GRAS for decorative and filtration media.
Q4: What surface treatment or additive options are available?
UV-resistant coatings, anti-static additives, and anti-fouling agents (on demand).
Q5: What is the typical lead/cadmium content?
Typically <2ppm, laboratory certified, adhering to FDA and EU RoHS standards.
Q6: What is the installation workflow for large landscaping?
Spread on prepared substrate, vibratory settling for uniformity, water jet rinse for dust removal, optional resin hardener for fixed installations.
Q7: What is the expected life/service period?
Over 15 years in decorative and landscaping installations — color guaranteed for 10+ years outdoors under ISO 489 UV stress tests.
Logistics, Warranty & Customer Support Details
- Lead Time: 7-10 business days per 20ft FCL, express available for retail quantities.
- MOQ: 1000 kg for bulk, 100 kg for specialty colors.
- Warranty: 2-year comprehensive warranty on color retention and granulometry.
- QC/Testing: Batch-by-batch ISO and FDA onsite test reports provided.
- Support: Dedicated application engineering, sample service, 24/7 technical hotline.
Conclusion & References
In summary, glass sand continues to carve out new opportunities in design and industry alike with applications ranging from creative decor to advanced water treatment. The product Decorative glass sand color specifications are complete exemplifies the best of industry trends, technical performance, and customization.
Further Reading:
• "Use of recycled glass sand in eco-concrete," Construction and Building Materials, ScienceDirect.
• "Glass Industry Forum": In-depth technical exchanges on glass granulates.
• "Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering": Advances in filtration media.