5/8" Black Star Gravel

5/8" Black Star Gravel is a dark, visually striking decorative stone commonly chosen for modern landscape designs. Also frequently referred to as Black Basalt, Black Tejas Gravel, Black Rock, or Shadow Rock, this crushed aggregate features a deep, charcoal-to-black color profile. It provides a sharp, high-contrast look when paired with green foliage, bright flowers, or lighter-colored stone borders. Because it is crushed stone rather than rounded river rock, the stones have angular edges that help them lock together more firmly when spread, creating a stable, reliable surface for pathways and garden beds.

The dark, sleek appearance is ideal for homeowners who want a clean, low-maintenance, and contemporary finish that resists fading and holds its visual impact year-round.

🧮 Skip the Guesswork: Unsure how much stone to order? Avoid purchasing mistakes or shorted projects by utilizing our interactive material calculator positioned directly at the top of this product page. Simply input your area's total length, width, and your desired material depth in inches to get an instant volume requirement for a secure, confident checkout.

Black Star Gravel is a decorative material that relies on a solid base for best performance. Follow these basic setup rules:

1. Clear and Prep: Excavate the area to remove existing vegetation and topsoil. We highly recommend installing a heavy-duty landscape weed barrier fabric before laying the gravel to prevent weeds from growing up through the stone.
2. Apply Base Layer: For pathways or high-traffic areas, install a 2-inch base of compacted road base or limestone screenings underneath the Black Star Gravel. This stabilizes the foundation.
3. Spread Evenly: Distribute the gravel to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. This depth is sufficient to cover the underlying fabric or base layer completely while providing a clean, professional finish.
4. Final Edge: Border the installation area with steel edging, concrete, or stone to prevent the gravel from migrating into your lawn or neighboring garden beds.

Coverage Estimates

• 1 Cubic Yard: Covers roughly 160 square feet at a 2-inch depth.
• 1 Cubic Yard: Covers roughly 100 square feet at a 3-inch depth.

Black Star Gravel is a versatile landscape tool used to combine visual impact with functional ground coverage:

1. Modern Garden Beds: Acts as a bold, dark backdrop that makes greenery and floral colors pop, creating a high-end, professionally designed look.
2. Contemporary Pathways: Offers a firm, attractive walking surface for garden paths that drains perfectly and resists the muddy conditions of soil or clay.
3. Decorative Ground Cover: Replaces high-maintenance grass or mulch in areas that are hard to water or mow, providing a clean, permanent solution.
4. Hardscape Accents: Used to frame patio borders, fill space between pavers, or add texture to rock garden designs.

Black Star Gravel is extremely durable and requires minimal effort to keep looking its best:

1. Debris Removal: Due to its dark color, leaves or bright debris can stand out. Periodically use a leaf blower on a low setting or a garden rake to clear surface debris.
2. Edge Maintenance: Ensure your edging remains intact to keep the stone confined to the target area.
3. Occasional Wash: Over time, dust or pollen may dull the deep black color. A simple spray with a garden hose will wash away surface dust, instantly restoring the stone’s striking, dark aesthetic.

Material Type: Crushed basalt or trap rock.

Commonly Called Names: Black Star Gravel, Black Basalt, Black Star Basalt, Black Star Aggregate, Black Granite, Trap Rock, Tejas Blackstar, Shadow Rock.

Size Profile: 5/8 inch (angular, crushed).

Texture Profile: Angular, durable stone that provides excellent stability and resists erosion.

Local Logistics: Available for home and commercial jobsite delivery throughout Austin, Kyle, San Marcos, and surrounding ZIP codes. Can be bundled onto a single delivery order with sand, mulches, or other hardscape stone blocks.

Natural Stone Disclaimer:
This is a natural stone product and may vary in color, size, and texture. These variations are normal and part of what makes natural stone unique. No two loads are identical.

What is Black Star Gravel?
 Black Star Gravel is a hard, dark-colored crushed stone, typically basalt (volcanic rock), sized at 5/8 of an inch. It is highly valued in modern landscaping for its dark, charcoal-like appearance and its ability to maintain color and stability in both residential and commercial projects.

Why is it called "Black Star"?
 The name refers to the stone's deep, dark color profile. In some lighting, the individual angular facets of the crushed stone catch the light, giving it a subtle, sparkling appearance against its otherwise dark, charcoal-to-black body.

Does Black Star Gravel stay in place?
 Because it is a crushed, angular stone (rather than smooth river rock), the pieces have sharp edges that lock together when spread. This allows it to stay in place much better than rounded pea gravel, making it an excellent choice for walkways and gentle slopes.

Can I order bulk Black Star Gravel along with mulch or limestone borders for the same delivery?
Yes! Yards Direct makes it easy to bundle your landscape materials online. You can place your order for Black Star Gravel on this page and add your shredded hardwood mulches, limestone chop blocks, or paver borders to your cart for a single, coordinated delivery straight to your jobsite.