Builder's Sand, Masonry Sand, Sharp Sand, Bricklayer's Sand, Playsand, Silver Sand -- What's The Difference?

Sand is a natural product and is made up of rock and mineral particles. Depending upon where the sand has actually come from depends on its composition because of local rock types and the geographic conditions.

Sand has proved to be useful in a vast variety of ways, from making glass to being a play thing, and it is because of these very different purposes, and the various textures of it, that sand cannot just be lifted off a beach and used as an all-purpose commodity.

It is usual for sands to have just very subtle differences, so in some instances they can be interchangeable for many tasks. The best kind of sand to use for concrete is sharp sand; this is because it is very coarse and you can quite often see the bits of rock that have been left in it.

A comparable type of sand to sharp sand is builder’s sand; this has a variety of uses, and as the name suggests, they are mostly in the building industry.
Masonry sand is sand that has been graded (the previous two are not) and is better for building works.

Silver sand isn’t pure sand; it is a mixture of graded sand and loam and has a variety of uses including building works.

Play sand is another deviant of sand that is self explanatory; this is the most highly graded sand available and is the softest so it is very suitable for children to play with, just make sure that when you build your sandpit, you also make a lid for it otherwise your neighborhood cats will love you!

The short answer is that it kind of depends which manufacturer you're dealing with.  That said, you can generally expect:    Sharp sand is a mix of ungraded, coarse sands often with small (sharp) rock chips in it.  Good for balast, concreting, and not much else.    Builder's sand is mostly an ungraded product.  It is used for a wide variety of purposes, especially in construction (i.e., for ballast, for good drainage when laid under brick paving, or mixing with cement to make morter).     Builder's sand may also be mixed with heavy (clay) soils in the garden to improve drainage.  Sometimes called "soft" or "orange" sand in the trade, to distinguish from sharp sand.    Masonry sand is a graded variant of builder's sand, rather better for bricklaying and patios.  Also called bricklayer's sand.    Silver sand is a mix of graded sand and fine loam; it can be used for bricklaying (light coloured morter), top-dressing lawns, patio concrete and (sometimes) instead of playsand.    Playsand the softest and most graded sand available. The only one really suitable for sandpits.

Is masonry sand safe for sand box

Play sand = play ( not Sharp)
sharp sand = no play (very painful)

So this builder's sand that is good for gardens is obtained from where?....river sand, pit sand, or where?