The most expensive type of sand is high-zircon sand.
Why is High-Zircon Sand So Valuable?
The value of sand isn't always about the individual grains of quartz you find on a beach. In specialized markets, sand refers to deposits rich in valuable heavy minerals. As the provided reference states, generally, as zircon is the most valuable component and a critical ore component, high-zircon sands are the most valuable.
These valuable sand deposits, often called mineral sands, contain concentrations of heavy minerals like:
- Zircon (zirconium silicate)
- Ilmenite (iron-titanium oxide)
- Rutile (titanium dioxide)
- Sometimes Monazite (a rare earth phosphate mineral)
Zircon is particularly prized for its resistance to heat and corrosion. Its primary uses include:
- Ceramics Production: Used as an opacifier and whitener in glazes.
- Refractory Materials: Essential for lining high-temperature furnaces.
- Foundry Applications: Used in molds and cores for casting metals.
The concentration of zircon in a deposit, along with its purity and ease of extraction, significantly impacts the sand's price. Sands with high percentages of zircon, often found alongside titanium minerals like ilmenite and rutile, command premium prices compared to common construction sand.
Key Factors Affecting Sand Value
- Mineral Composition: The type and concentration of valuable minerals present (especially zircon).
- Purity: The absence of unwanted impurities.
- Grain Size and Shape: Affects processing and end-use suitability.
- Location: Proximity to markets and ease of extraction and transport.
While beach sand is virtually free, high-zircon sand, once processed into zircon concentrate, can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars per tonne depending on market conditions and purity.
