Kingston Limestone

["John VanCamp" <jvcstnwrks@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Amen to that George.  I have carved on many different stones as
I live in an area where limestone is plentiful.  Some have
turned out to be virtually worthless, while others have been
pleasant surprises, but every stone has a lesson to offer the
person who approaches it with hammer and chisel.  But Stephen,
as George mentions, working with one of the limestones that have
been used for generations for architectural ornamentation is as
good as it gets, and the Indiana stones are the best of the
best.  Check with some architectural salvage or demolition
companies in your area.  You might luck out and find a piece.

Carvers will tell you that green (freshly quarried) stone works
the best, and so it does, but I recently acquired a block of
Indiana that was quarried in the 1930's, and carving it was a
delightful experience.  Much preferable to working on a piece of
stone that is blast quarried and destined for the crusher.   Any
way, good luck and don't let the availability of local stone
frustrate you.  After all, there are beautiful carvings in
granite, jade and other stones harder than any limestone, so be
patient, take what the stone gives you, experiment, and learn.

John VanCamp