name that stone

Quoted text begins.Anthony
Running into a piece of hard stone the first time out of the gate
can be at best "frustrating"
Your area is rife with sandstone which can be easily worked although
detailing can be limited.
End of quote.

Bob,

Thanks for your reply. I should point out that I've been
carving stone for about 8 years now so I'm not exactly
"out of the gate". However, I usually do stick with
softer marbles and limestones. I have had a couple of
very rewarding experiences with granite which was very
hard but I soon learned that my 4-1/2" angle grinder
with a diamond blade or a masonry disc could cut even
hard stones like butter. Of course I'm aware of the
safety precautions and I own, and use, the proper
respiratory, eye, and ear equipment.

I'm drawn to this particular stone because I love to
finish stone with many different textures and polishes.
I'm certain that I can achieve any surface that I want
because this stone looks great natural or roughly
carved, but when polished it is transformed to a
radiant, glassy, translucent surface that, in my eyes,
looks very ephemeral and dreamlike.

Based on the comments I've read from the group, I'm
leaning towards the persuasion that this stone is
quartzite. Is quartzite a type of sandstone? Is it a
type of stone that can be found in western PA? I want to
point out that I found this stone in a parking lot where
it was among many other smaller examples of the same
type being used as a border atop of a retaining wall.

You mentioned that my location is loaded with a lot of
nice sandstone I was wondering if you know of any places
to get some nice carveable limestone around here?

When this "quartzite" piece is finished I plan on
posting an image of it on my website at
[URL now obsolete] .
It is going to be a centaur and so far I only have about
3 hours of work into it and I already have almost the
entire form roughed out. I'm about as far as I can go
with my angle grinder, and now I have to find another
means for grinding or cutting smaller details so as not
to obliterate what I have with my large blade. I think

I'll use some smaller carborundum bits with my electric
drill or if anyone has any other suggestions

I'll gladly give them a go.
Thanks for patiently reading,
Anthony Marbella