Silica sand is a granular material that contains quartz and minute amounts of coal, clay and other minerals. It is also known as quartz sand and industrial sand, and is largely used in several construction applications. Silica is another name for silicon dioxide, of which quartz is a specific latticed structure. So, silica sand is quartz that over the years , through the work of water and wind , has been broken down into tiny granules. Industrial sand is a term normally applied to high purity silica sand products with closely controlled sizing. It is a more precise product than common concrete and asphalt gravels. From water filtration, to glass manufacture, to industrial casting, to sand blasting, to producing concrete, to adding texture to slick roads, silica sand impacts every aspect of daily life.