Bluestone vs Crushed Limestone

Bluestone

Bluestone is a dense, fine-grained natural stone commonly used in the northeastern United States. It is valued for its durability, rich blue-gray color, and clean, angular appearance.

Crushed Limestone

Crushed sedimentary rock with a pale gray to white color. Compacts well and provides good drainage. Limestone is a popular choice in the Midwest and South where it's quarried locally, keeping costs low.

Bluestone

• ✓ Walkways
• ✓ Patios
• ✓ Landscaping
• ✓ Driveway borders

Crushed Limestone

• ✓ Driveways
• ✓ Pathways
• ✓ Base material
• ✓ Garden beds
• ✓ Parking pads
• ✓ Erosion control

Bluestone

• + Highly durable
• + Attractive natural color
• + Resists weathering
• + Slip-resistant texture

• − Expensive
• − Heavy
• − Regional availability

Crushed Limestone

• + Compacts into a firm, stable surface
• + Light color brightens landscapes
• + Good drainage properties
• + Affordable in limestone-rich regions
• + Natural weed suppression when compacted

• − Can become muddy when wet (stone dust)
• − Limited color options
• − May raise soil pH over time
• − Dusty in dry conditions
• − Not available everywhere

Bluestone

Available as gravel, chips, or slabs. Colors range from blue-gray to steel blue.

Crushed Limestone

Available from fine limestone screenings up to 3-inch chunks. Most common sizes are 3/4" and 1.5". Color ranges from pale gray to off-white, sometimes with a slight yellow tint. Compacted limestone screenings create a smooth, almost concrete-like surface.