# Stone-wash jeans **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 12, 2000, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056 "2000-08-12T02:35:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![madd1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@madd1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madd1)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2000, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/1 "2000-08-12T02:35:12Z")
I could not find this one in the ‘search’. However, I am sure if it is there, I will be sent there shortly. On to the question(s)… I put on a new pair of Levi’s 501s this morning. In the afternoon, while reaching for change in my pocket (honestly, I was only looking for change), I found eight small stones. They are well rounded, whitish blue and very light. They look a lot like the coral gravel we had in Hawaii. Does Levis really use stones in their ‘stone-wash’ jeans? What kind of rocks are they? Thanks gang. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2000, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/2 "2000-08-12T02:44:54Z")
I used to work in a clothing store, and the owner/buyer told me that yes, they use stones, and it’s pumice that they use. This has been several years ago, so they might have changed methods. However, since pumice is cheap and lightweight, I don’t see why they’d use something else. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2000, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/3 "2000-08-12T04:11:02Z")
Way back when, I also put on a new pair of stone wash jeans and also found a rock in the pocket, so I’m guessing yes. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2000, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/4 "2000-08-12T06:34:44Z")
Well, they aren’t Levis, but I bought a pair of stonewashed overalls for the littlest flodnak recently. The pockets were basted shut and a tag informed me that this was done to keep small rocks out of them during the stonewashing process. So at least one company is still doing it. I didn’t open the seams because I can’t imagine what earthly use a six month old would have for pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2000, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/5 "2000-08-12T13:40:24Z")
Eh, **Flodnak,** I can’t imagine what earthly use a six-month-old would have for overalls. Gonna help you spade up the garden, is he? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2000, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/6 "2000-08-12T15:43:10Z")
Duck, dear. Ever try to put a pair of sweatpants on a beachball? The kid is way too **round** to wear anything but overalls. At least I can depend on overalls to stay up. Okay, they didn’t need to be stonewashed. So I’m a sucker for cute. ---
**Author:** ![Chas.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Chas.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chas.E)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/7 "2000-08-13T03:53:51Z")
Yes, they really do use big rocks. I used to live in the Garment District of Los Angeles, next to a company that made stone washed jeans. They are also referred to as “acid-washed” because the process involves both abrasive stones AND acid. The recipie: take a huge pile of jeans, add hundreds of pounds of stones (pumice I think, but harder because pumice crumbles, they reuse the stones from batch to batch) add water and weak acid. Stir briskly in an industrial mixer until jeans are faded. Now the REAL question is, who would wear stone-wash jeans today, more than 10 years after they went out of fashion? They aren’t nearly old enough a fashion to be retro yet. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/8 "2000-08-13T06:35:17Z")
Are you making fun of my kid’s overalls now, Chas? You guys better watch what you say or I’ll let him spit up on you. (Maybe after he’s had raspberry compote for dessert… ooh, yum, Attack of the Toxic Pink Puke.) Stonewashed jeans have the advantage of being softer, though less durable, since the stonewashing process breaks the fibers. I suspect that’s why they haven’t disappeared from the shops even if the Fashion Slaves have decided they’re out. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/9 "2000-08-13T06:59:59Z")
I think most jeans get a “gentle” stone washing. They just look worn in. The super-bleached look of 8-10 years ago has gone, but soft, comfy jeans are probably here to stay. ---
**Author:** ![creekriot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@creekriot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/creekriot)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/10 "2014-03-27T14:49:26Z")
Yes… In the front right pocket of my brand new Wrangler stone washed jeans; four very light gray (with specks of blue), almost weightless, well-polished pumice stones, ranging in size from 9x13 to 18x31mm. Most surprising! ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2014, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/11 "2014-03-27T15:12:13Z")
If the DATE was not enough to tell creekriot that this was a 14 year old thread… then the reference to “stone wash” anything should have been. What’s next a discussion on parachute pants and Twisted Sisters upcoming ALBUM/CASSETTE? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/12 "2014-03-27T16:02:09Z")
> [@chargerrich](#): > > … then the reference to “stone wash” anything should have been. Goodness Gracious, just about any reference to specialty jeans was already outdated by the late 1990’s. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/13 "2014-03-27T16:18:23Z")
zombie or no customer feedback is important to them. notify the company of the number of the QC inspector which should be in the pocket along with the rocks. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2014, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/14 "2014-03-27T16:39:47Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Goodness Gracious, just about any reference to specialty jeans was already outdated by the late 1990’s. Ronald Reagan [wearing stone-washed jeans](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_washing) in the 70’s! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/15 "2014-03-27T17:30:53Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > a rock in the pocket I burning your Dockers! ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/16 "2014-03-27T17:47:47Z")
We used to use [this stuff to fade jeans](http://www.flickr.com/photos/25692985@N07/4455542169/) in 70’s. Everyone knew to not use this stuff in mom’s washer as it would also wear away the washing machine inards. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/17 "2014-03-27T17:57:17Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > zombie or no > > customer feedback is important to them. notify the company of the number of the QC inspector which should be in the pocket along with the rocks. Said inspector is likely retired or dead by now. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stone-wash-jeans/29056/18 "2014-03-27T18:00:37Z")
Jeans-makers love to sell pre-mistreated jeans! Without that, a customer (one who stays the same size) can keep wearing the same jeans for a decade or more. There’s no repeat customer traffic in that. If you can sell stone-washed, or otherwise tortured, jeans, you can count on the customer replacing them in a year or two. $$$$! For a while, Buckshot Jeans were actually blasted by shotguns. 'Twas risky, though. If a pellet hit the zipper, the pair had to be thrown out.