Pumice is a lightweight stone that is formed from volcanic eruptions. As gas bubbles form and escape from the lava, it becomes foamy, then cools and hardens, forming pumice. Today, pumice is mined in several countries, including the United States, Turkey, Spain, Canada, Greece and Italy. Once mined, pumice is sold for several industrial uses.
Construction
At least three-fourths of all mined pumice is used in the building industry, making it the largest user of pumice, according to the Mineral Information Institute. It is used to make lightweight concrete blocks and concrete mixes. Products made with pumice stone are also favorites of landscapers, as they have the durability of concrete without the heaviness. The fashion industry also uses pumice stone for the "stonewashed" blue jean look. New jeans are placed into a large drum washing machine, and pumice stones are added. The jeans are washed with the stones, and as they repeatedly tumble through the cycle together, the jeans take on a prewashed and worn look. When you see a label on a pair of jeans that says "stonewashed," you will know that pumice was used in the process.
Beauty
In a store, the most common place to find pumice stone is the beauty aisle. Pumice stone is commonly used to exfoliate and smooth the skin. Pumice works well on rough areas such as the feet, elbows, corns and callouses, according to the Dermagenix Medical Spa in Houston. As you rub pumice back and forth on your skin, the friction rubs off old, dead cells and makes way for new skin cells. Small bits of crushed pumice are also added to cleansers, and even toothpaste, to make a light exfoliator and polisher.
Agriculture
A unique use of pumice is in the agricultural and gardening industry. Used as a soil conditioner, crushed pumice helps the soil hold water and air and improves its aeration and moisture content, which is beneficial to plants.Researchers from the Ataturk University Department of Agriculture in Erzurum, Turkey, tested the effects of using pumice as a soil conditioner when growing strawberries. The study, published in the 2005 issue of the Journal of Central European Agriculture, found that using pumice increased the size of the root systems, leaf area and the general overall growth of the strawberry plant.
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