Fine river sand feels quite like washed sand, while coarse river sand has a fine, yet pebbly, feel. Generally both will be darker than sharp or washed sand and they have a very mixed particle size. Coarse river sand is used as a paving base. When viewed in close-up the granules of river sand are distinctly rounded. Because of the rounded nature of the particles, lots of tiny gaps are formed, even when compressed, and that creates one of the desirable properties of this sand – good drainage.
