Is naturally occurring silica sand a desiccant?

According to the different mining and processing methods, it is divided into artificial silica sand and washed sand, scrub sand, selected (flotation) sand and other natural silica sand. Silica sand is kind of silicate minerals with hard, wear-resistant, stable chemical properties. read more

Not in the sense that it will absorb moisture but moisture may form a thin coating on the surface of the individual grains. Also, most silica sand has thin coatings of clay or other minerals which may absorb a small amount of moisture. read more

Silica gel is a form of the naturally occurring mineral silicon dioxide, better known in its granular form as sand or in crystals as quartz. Its most notable trait is its porousness, which allows it to absorb up to 40 percent of its weight in water. read more