Decorative stone is the finishing layer of a landscape. It goes where people see it up close: planting beds, borders, planters, and water features.
This guide covers the Mexican beach pebbles, marble chips, and other decorative landscape stone we stock at our Leander yard. It also explains which size fits which job and how much to order for pickup or delivery in Round Rock, Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Liberty Hill.
How Decorative Stone Differs From Gravel and River Rock
Gravel is crushed and angular. Crushed gravel that includes fines packs down into a stable surface, so it is the right pick for paths and driveways. Smooth beach pebbles stay loose underfoot and work better as decorative ground cover.
River rock is rounded by water and comes in mixed earth tones. It is sold by the cubic yard and used to cover large areas like dry creek beds. Our river rock guide covers those types and sizes.
Decorative stone is chosen for color and finish. The color is more consistent from stone to stone, so it is used in smaller areas where the look matters most. Our decorative landscape stone is sold by the ton, yard, or pallet depending on the product. Pricing is quoted when you order.
Beach Pebbles We Carry
Availability changes with what is in the yard.
| Type | Look | Sizes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Beach Pebbles | Smooth and jet black | ½" to 1", 1" to 2", 2" to 3", 3" to 5", 6" to 8", 8" to 12" | Modern beds, water features, bold accents |
| Buff Beach Pebbles | Warm buff tones | ½" to 1", 1" to 2", 2" to 3", 3" to 5", 6" to 8", 8" to 12" | A natural, earthy look |
| Button Beach Pebbles | Flat and disc shaped | ½" to 1", 1" to 2" | Texture and pattern in small beds |
| Candy Beach Pebbles | Petite and smooth in a mixed color palette | 3/8" to 5/8" | Planters and fine detail |
| Gems Beach Pebbles | Polished and jewel-like | ½" to 1", 1" to 2" | Accents that catch the light |
| Gumballs Beach Pebbles | Round and uniform in mixed natural tones | 1" to 2" | Borders and bed cover |
| Jellybeans Pebbles | Small and colorful | 3/8" to 1" | Detail work |
| Pancakes Beach Pebbles | Large and flat with a smooth finish | 4" to 6" | Stepping accents |
Black Beach Pebbles are what most people picture when they ask for black Mexican beach pebbles. They are deep charcoal when dry and turn rich and glossy when wet. That is why Mexican beach pebbles landscaping shows up so often around pools, fountains, and modern xeriscapes.
See the full lineup on our decorative stone page.
Marble Chips and Black Diamond Chips
White Marble Chips are angular and bright white. They come in ½" to 1" and ¾" to 1½". Use them for pathways and planting beds where you want strong contrast against dark mulch, green foliage, or charcoal pavers.
White Marble Pebbles are the rounded version. They come in ½" to 1", 1" to 2", 2" to 3", and 3" to 5".
Black Diamond Chips are a 5/8" black crushed stone. They give you the dark look of a black pebble with an angular texture.
White marble reflects sunlight and brightens a space. It also shows leaves and debris more than darker stone, so plan on blowing it off now and then.
Black Beach Pebbles 
Black Diamond Chips 
White Marble Chips 
White Marble Pebbles
Black Beach Pebbles vs. Black Diamond Chips vs. White Marble
These are the stones people compare most often. Here is how they differ.
| Material | Appearance | Main advantage | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Beach Pebbles | Smooth, dark, rounded | Premium modern appearance | Remain loose underfoot |
| Black Diamond Chips | Black, angular crushed stone | Dark color with angular texture | Not as smooth as beach pebbles |
| White Marble Chips | Bright white, angular | Strong contrast and reflective color | Shows leaves and debris |
| White Marble Pebbles | Smooth, rounded white stone | Clean, polished-looking appearance | Can shift underfoot |
If you want a black decorative rock and plan to walk on it now and then, Black Diamond Chips are the better fit. For a bed people only look at, Black Beach Pebbles give the smoother finish.
Which Size to Use
- 3/8" to 1" - Planters, top dressing, and gaps between stepping stones. This size gives a fine, even texture.
- 1" to 2" - The all-purpose size for bed cover and borders. Start here if you are not sure.
- 2" to 3" and 3" to 5" - Water features, wider borders, and accents along a dry creek bed.
- 6" to 8" and 8" to 12" - Statement stones that are placed by hand, one at a time.
For rounded accent stone larger than that, look at dino eggs in our landscape boulders guide.
How Much Decorative Stone Do I Need?
A 2 to 3 inch layer works for smaller beach pebbles. About 2 inches works for marble chips. Larger stones may need a deeper layer or single-layer placement. Then use this formula:
(Length in feet × Width in feet × Depth in inches) ÷ 324 = cubic yards
If your stone is priced by the ton, the last step is converting yards to tons. Decorative stone weights vary by material, size, and density. For planning, figure a cubic yard of rounded rock at roughly 2,500 to 2,800 pounds. That is about 1.25 to 1.4 tons per yard. Treat it as an estimate and not an exact conversion for every product.
Example: A border 3 feet wide and 20 feet long at 2 inches deep works out to about 0.37 cubic yards. That is roughly half a ton.
Send us your measurements and we will give you a more accurate tonnage estimate for the stone you picked. For other shapes and depths, use the coverage calculator.
Installing Decorative Stone So It Lasts
- 1Remove grass and weeds down to bare soil.
- 2For a permanent bed, lay permeable landscape fabric and pin it. Fabric helps keep the stone from sinking into the soil and cuts down on weeds.
- 3Set edging first so the stone stays where you put it.
- 4Spread the stone and rake it level.
- 5Rinse it with a hose. Stone arrives dusty and looks different once it is clean.
Skip the fabric in beds you replant often. Rock also holds heat in a Central Texas summer, so keep it a few inches off trunks and stems.