The invention relates to safe and environment-friendly pearlite sand and a preparation method thereof. The pearlite sand comprises the following ingredients in parts by weight: 460-480 parts of colorant and 20-40 parts of quartz sand, wherein the colorant comprises the following ingredients in parts by weight: 390-410 parts of sodium silicate, 45-55 parts of lithium silicate, 2-4 parts of curing agent, 0.5-1.5 parts of metasilicate, 0.5-1.5 parts of concentrated sulfuric acid, 90-110 parts of filler, 380-420 parts of pearl essence, 45-55 parts of film forming assistant and 40-50 parts of water. The pearlite sand is prepared through firstly preparing the colorant, then, mixing the colorant with the quartz sand, and then, carrying out drying and screening. Compared with the prior art, the pearlite sand and the preparation method thereof have the advantages that the quartz sand serves as a basic raw material of the pearlite sand and is colored through the pearl essence, and thus, the surface of the quartz sand can present soft pearly luster; the pearlite sand has the characteristics of high-temperature resistance, lighting resistance, acid/base resistance, water resistance and friction resistance, is environmentally friendly, non-toxic and harmless and can be extensively applicable to coating materials in the fields of automobiles, articles for daily use, buildings and the like instead of natural pearlite sand.