Article: Fossil Mint Paving: Complete Guide
Fossil Mint Paving: Complete Guide
Fossil Mint is the lightest and softest-toned of the Indian sandstones — a blend of pale mint-green, cream and gentle buff, often with delicate fossil markings in the surface. It brings brightness and warmth to a patio without the cool greyness of Kandla Grey or the bold multi-tones of Raj Green, which makes it ideal for opening up shaded or smaller gardens. It's available in riven and sawn finishes, all standard sizes, from £22/m² with free UK delivery.
Among Indian sandstones, Fossil Mint is the quiet all-rounder. It doesn't shout like a dark anthracite or a multi-coloured Raj Green — instead it brings a soft, light, natural warmth that works in almost any garden and makes small or shaded spaces feel bigger and brighter. If you want natural stone character without a dominant colour, Fossil Mint is often the answer. Here's the complete guide.
What colour is Fossil Mint?
Fossil Mint is a soft, light multi-tonal sandstone. The base is a pale cream-buff, washed through with gentle mint-green and occasional hints of soft pink and grey. The "mint" in the name refers to those cool green undertones, but it's subtle — this is a warm, light stone overall, not a strongly green one.
The "fossil" half of the name is literal: Fossil Mint frequently shows delicate fossilised markings and natural veining in the surface — small shells, ripples and mineral traces left in the stone over millions of years. These give each slab genuine individual character. As with all natural sandstone, every slab varies, so a Fossil Mint patio has a soft, blended, organic appearance rather than a uniform one.
Fossil Mint vs other sandstone colours
If you're choosing between Fossil Mint and the other popular Indian sandstones, here's how it compares:
| Colour | Tone | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fossil Mint | Light cream, mint, soft buff | Brightening small or shaded gardens |
| Kandla Grey | Cool silver-grey | Contemporary, modern grey-toned homes |
| Raj Green | Warm green, brown, purple multi-tone | Traditional gardens, mature planting |
| Rippon Buff | Golden buff and honey | Warm, cottage-style gardens |
| Camel Dust | Warm sandy beige | Neutral, Mediterranean-style spaces |
The short version: choose Fossil Mint when you want a light, bright, neutral-warm patio that lifts the space. Choose Kandla Grey for a cooler contemporary look, or Raj Green for warm traditional character.
Finishes: riven vs sawn Fossil Mint
Fossil Mint comes in two finishes, and the choice changes the look significantly:
Riven Fossil Mint keeps the stone's naturally split, textured surface with hand-dressed edges. The texture catches light and emphasises the fossil markings and tonal variation, giving a traditional, characterful finish with excellent natural grip. It's the more affordable option and the easier to lay.
Sawn & honed Fossil Mint is precision-cut and ground to a smooth, even surface with clean edges and tight joints. This gives a more contemporary, refined finish where the soft colour reads as a calm, uniform surface. Ideal for modern patios and outdoor dining areas.
Sizes available
Fossil Mint is stocked in the standard Indian sandstone formats: single sizes such as 900×600 and 600×600, and mixed patio packs that lay in a classic random pattern combining several sizes. The mixed pack is the most popular choice for a traditional patio look, while single 900×600 suits cleaner, more contemporary layouts. Thickness is typically 22mm in riven and around 20-22mm in sawn.
Where Fossil Mint works best
Small gardens. Light-toned paving reflects more light and makes a compact space feel larger and more open — Fossil Mint is one of the best sandstones for this.
Shaded or north-facing gardens. Where darker stone can feel heavy and gloomy, Fossil Mint's pale tones keep a shaded patio feeling bright and welcoming.
Cottage and country gardens. The soft, natural blend sits beautifully against green planting, brick, and traditional architecture.
Around water. The light, fresh tones work especially well around pools, ponds and water features.
It pairs naturally with green and white planting schemes, reclaimed brick, oak features, and cream or sage garden furniture.
How Fossil Mint weathers
Like all natural sandstone, Fossil Mint softens and mellows slightly over time rather than fading like a dyed product. Because it's a light stone, it does show algae and dirt more readily than darker colours in damp or shaded spots — so good drainage and an occasional wash keep it looking its best. Sealing is optional but recommended for light sandstones, as it helps resist staining and slows algae growth on the lighter surface. Fossil Mint is a porous natural stone, so it benefits from sealing more than a dense stone would.
Caring for Fossil Mint paving
Fossil Mint is low-maintenance but, being light, rewards a little care:
- Rinse or sweep regularly to stop dirt building up in the texture
- Wash annually with a stiff brush and patio cleaner (avoid harsh acids, which can damage sandstone)
- Seal after laying and re-seal every few years to protect the light tone and resist staining
- Ensure good drainage so the stone isn't sitting wet in shaded areas where algae forms
It's a porous natural stone paving, so it absorbs a little water — which is normal and helps it breathe, but means drainage and sealing matter more than they would for non-porous porcelain.
See Fossil Mint in your own garden
Soft, light Indian sandstone that brightens any space. From £22/m², free UK delivery. Order a sample to see the colour and fossil detail in your own light before you commit.
Browse Indian Sandstone Order SamplesFrequently asked questions
Is Fossil Mint green or cream?
Mostly light cream and buff, with gentle mint-green undertones — hence the name. It reads as a warm, light, neutral stone overall rather than a strongly green one. The exact balance varies slab to slab, which is part of its natural character.
Is Fossil Mint sandstone slippery?
In riven finish, Fossil Mint has excellent natural grip even when wet, making it safe for patios and paths. The sawn and honed finish is smoother — still fine for general use, but riven is preferable for steps or sloped areas. Because it's light, keep it free of algae in shaded spots, as algae (not the stone itself) is the main slip risk.
Does Fossil Mint need sealing?
Sealing is optional but recommended for Fossil Mint. As a light, porous sandstone it shows staining and algae more than darker stones, so a breathable sealer helps keep the pale tone looking fresh and makes cleaning easier. Re-seal every few years.
Is Fossil Mint good for small gardens?
Yes — it's one of the best sandstones for small or shaded gardens. Its light tones reflect more light and make a compact space feel larger and brighter, where a darker stone can make a small garden feel enclosed.
How much does Fossil Mint paving cost?
Fossil Mint Indian sandstone starts from £22/m² including VAT, with free UK delivery. Riven is the most affordable finish; sawn and honed costs a little more for the refined, contemporary surface. Order a sample first to confirm the colour suits your space.
Do you deliver Fossil Mint paving UK-wide?
Yes — free delivery across mainland UK from our Nottingham yard, typically within 2-5 working days. Trade customers can also collect from the yard.
