June 18, 2018
In
2Sculpt, Stone, Tips for Beginners
When choosing a stone for sculpting we must consider its consistency (how fragile it may be), it’s patterning (how busy it is), and its workability (its hardness). The MOH scale is a quickly accelerating rating of stone from “1” for soapstone to “10” for diamonds. Other factors such as molecular structure can also affect hardness. Here is a rough guide to our most commonly used stones:
1 Soapstone
1.5 Alabaster
2 Limestone and Steatite
3 Softer Marbles and Travertines
4 Harder Marbles, Calcites, Onyx
6 Granite and Basalt
Some of us like the harder stones. We get sharper lines, more exacting cuts, and beautiful finishes. With the right tools we can cut, chisel, and polish with reasonable effort.