Natural Slate Stone Gravel 1/8 to 1/4 inch - USA Sourced and Packaged for Basing Models, Wargaming, Mosaic Stone Art, Crafts, Bonsai, Succulents, Miniature or Fairy Gardens, Aquariums (1lb)

This bag-o-rocks (shale, to be exact) turned out to be perfect for my miniature basing needs. The 1 pound bag of 1/8" to 1/4" shale is an incredible bargain -- you really can't compare it to anything available from a company specializing in miniatures, bases and/or scenery products for the hobby. For about the same price as a 'specialty' bag or box of basing stones, with maybe enough bits for 20-40 bases (a generous guess), I estimate this product provides enough stones for about 1000 bases. Actually, I now figure this approximately $10.00 purchase will be the last such I need to make for my hobby needs, ever. Don't worry though -- the bags are small, roughly 5" by 7," with the stones taking up an approximate area of 5" x 5", at about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. These tiny natural rocks are the perfect size for miniatures basing, they look great after painting and drybrushing, and they're very affordable. I discovered some of the stones had points sharp enough to poke a few holes in the small (re-sealable) plastic bag, but the few holes in mine were no problem, although I did stab a fingertip during my initial examination (ouch). Before use, I strongly recommend the individual stones, or preferably, the complete contents of the bag, be gently washed, to remove the inevitable accumulation of dust and such on each bit created by normal shipping and handling. If you don't, you run the very real risk of your paint job going wrong. You might not need to do this with a specialty product, but the phenomenal savings made this a no-brainer for me. Actually, even though each stone was 'dusty,' I was quite impressed by something I didn't find. There was no measurable amount of only dust, or even rock 'sand,' to be found in the bag -- only stones. The slate had remained intact, and really hadn't been broken and ground up, as has happened with many other purchases I have made. Hopefully, this will be representative of most purchases. I am totally pleased with my purchase of these wonderful, tiny 1/8 to 1/4 inch slate stones for my wargaming (and display) miniatures hobby, and enthusiastically give them my whole-hearted recommendation. Such a deal! I did buy a one pound bag of larger stones with this order, but that's a story for another review.

The quality is very good, almost not powdery, I use the shale for the soil mix of Ariocarpus.

It's a rock. Natural slate fragments, just the right size for Miniature basing and diorama.

These rocks were just the perfect size for a project that I was working on with statues and figures. The colors were just right and the various degrees of sizes made the surrounding scenery around my project look authentic. My wife thought that I'd gathered real rocks from outside and put them together into my creation. Now I'm thinking of more creative ways to use these rocks. I'll definitely be getting these again.

Looks grear. Very nice size as described

came fast, professional, and looks great.

Use this to landscape my fish tank.

I really wanted a gray top stone for my succulents to match my office. I found this stuff and it looks perfect! If I were to do it again I would have gotten the next size larger so that the stones stand out more. The slate comes in a nice resealable pouch so I can add more later if needed. Overall love this product!