Pumice is typically found in areas of the world with volcanic activity. According to the Mineral Information Institute, 50 countries produce pumice, with Italy, Spain, Greece, Chile, Turkey and the United States being major producers. In the United States, the most pumice is found in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon.
In 2009, pumice mining in the United States was valued at $16 million. The quantities mined have declined from 1.5 million tons in 2006 to 800,000 tons in 2009, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Mines in Arizona and California produce some 50 per cent of American pumice. U.S. imports are primarily from Greece and Turkey.
Pumice has many more uses than removing hard skin from the feet. Pumice stone creates the "stonewash" effect on denim and is seen in garden landscaping, but its primary use is as the basis of construction materials, such as concrete blocks.