#89 Stone vs Marble Chips: Size, Cost, and Which to Use

#89 Stone

In the ASTM C33 sieve table, #8 stone passes a 1/2-inch screen and stays on a #8 sieve (about 3/32 inch), and #9 is a step finer. #89 is a blend of the two: most of it passes a 3/8-inch screen and stays on a #16 sieve. In practice you get a clean, small, sharp stone that looks like crushed pea gravel. Some quarries sell the same product as #8, #9, or "3/8 clean."

Marble Chips

Marble chips are decorative, angular stones made from crushed marble. Their bright white color reflects heat and adds contrast in landscape designs.

#89 Stone

• ✓ Walkways
• ✓ Patios
• ✓ Pipe bedding
• ✓ Asphalt mix
• ✓ Dog runs
• ✓ Driveway top dressing

Marble Chips

• ✓ Landscaping beds
• ✓ Garden borders
• ✓ Decorative ground cover

#89 Stone

• + Packs firmer than pea gravel at the same size
• + Stays put inside edging
• + Wheelbarrow and stroller friendly
• + Clean, so it drains
• + Cheap at $22 to $40 per ton

• − Plain gray look
• − Sharp edges, not for bare feet
• − Too small for a driveway surface
• − Less void space than #57 for drainage

Marble Chips

• + Bright appearance
• + Reflects sunlight
• + Long-lasting

• − Can discolor over time
• − Poor compaction
• − Glare in full sun

#89 Stone

#89 stone is crushed stone screened to about 3/8 inch and smaller, with most pieces between 1/8 and 3/8 inch and no dust. It is angular, a blend of the #8 and #9 sieve sizes. Color follows the quarry: gray or white limestone, gray to pink granite, or dark basalt.

Marble Chips

Commonly available in 1/2"–1" sizes. Bright white to off-white.