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| Fruit Serpentine is usually a really colorful pretty stone, with deep veins of variated strata. Because of its beauty it is one of the most sought after stones, renowned for its fine finish, durability and hardness. Kwekwe serpentine is a another variation, a hard multi-colored serpentine named for the Kwekwe area southwest of Harare where it is mined. |
| Serpentine is said to owe its name either to its serpent-like colors and patterns or from an old belief that the stones were effective protection from snake bites. Found in many deposits throughout Zimbabwe its colors vary from black to brown to green, orange and variegated. Hardness level varies from very soft to very hard. The majority of sculptors today, however do not carve from soft serpentine, but rather select deposits of rock that are hard and therefore more durable. |
Opal Stone (or Chiweshe Serpentine) is beautiful light
greenish serpentine. It's a very hard stone finely textured
with an almost translucent surface sometimes specked
with red, orange and bluish dots and patches. Opal stone
is famous for its milky, light-colored greens and smooth
texture. It is also unique in that it has fewer color
variations than standard Serpentine. This stone is one of
the favorites of sculptors because it's not as hard as
springstone and other serpentines, but still polishes to a
high finish.
greenish serpentine. It's a very hard stone finely textured
with an almost translucent surface sometimes specked
with red, orange and bluish dots and patches. Opal stone
is famous for its milky, light-colored greens and smooth
texture. It is also unique in that it has fewer color
variations than standard Serpentine. This stone is one of
the favorites of sculptors because it's not as hard as
springstone and other serpentines, but still polishes to a
high finish.
Springstone, a very hard serpentine with high iron
content and a fine texture, no cleavages, hard, and firm
offers a good resistance to the sculptor. Springstone
has a rich outer "blanket" of reddish brown oxidized
rock. A beautiful dark stone, it polishes to a high shine
because of its density. It may also have a softer brown
infusion which adds to its look. It takes its name from
the fact that the tools used to carve it tend to bounce or
“spring” off the stone without marking it. Many Shona
sculptors opt for springstone due to its radiant sheen
and often-flawless coloring.
content and a fine texture, no cleavages, hard, and firm
offers a good resistance to the sculptor. Springstone
has a rich outer "blanket" of reddish brown oxidized
rock. A beautiful dark stone, it polishes to a high shine
because of its density. It may also have a softer brown
infusion which adds to its look. It takes its name from
the fact that the tools used to carve it tend to bounce or
“spring” off the stone without marking it. Many Shona
sculptors opt for springstone due to its radiant sheen
and often-flawless coloring.
| Verdite is a semi-precious stone found in Zimbabwe which ranges in color from emerald to blue to brown. Its hardness is greater than the hardness of serpentine, making it a challenging sculpting medium. Verdite is over 3.5 million years old and is highly sought after. It is only found in southern Africa, with the highest quality being found in a deposit in Zimbabwe. It is therefore becoming rare and therefore highly prized. It has a unique Emerald-like look and quality with brown and green striations. Verdite, also known as Green Gold, is increasingly rare and more difficult to find. Sculptures in this stone will become increasingly more valuable over time. |
| Lapidolite/Lepidolite, with its brilliant purple hue, is most striking in natural daylight. The colors fluctuate between very dark purple and very light, creating tones that are both distinct and unique. |
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