green stone for Norman

["Stacy Shure" <shurefamily@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Robin referred to "antique verde" which is a marble we have an abundance of
here in California.  It is extremely hard and difficult to carve, especially
for beginning sculptors.  Art City in Ventura carries some beautiful pieces
of this.  I would not recommend it for very fine, detailed carving unless
you are using diamond abrasives.

Chlorite was also referred to.  I have purchased beautiful pieces from Randy
Zieber at Neolithic Stone in Vancouver, B.C.  Although the skin is a dark
green, the stone polishes to a beautiful black.  It is a rich, deep black
that takes a shine beautifully and also looks quite good in less polished
form (textured).  It holds a sharp edge and is a beautiful, easy carve.

There is available onxy that is green, although good specimens are difficult
to obtain.  I do not, however, recommend onxy as a beginning or easy carve.
It is brittle and much like obsidian in it's fracture ability.  Most onxy I
have simply used grinders or riflers to shape, avoiding  pnuematic tools
completely in the carve.

Other green stones I have carved included a dark green limestone, a soft
creamy light green soapstone, rain forest marble (hard like picasso marble,
veined green in a matrix of white and browns), and fujikisite (spelling?).
All of these I have obtained from Randy Zieber, as well.  Lastly, Randy does
carry a beautiful green serpentine unlike American varieties.  It is a
brilliant emerald green, sometimes with veining of lighter colors and brown.
I would caution, however, that although I have not had the stone tested,
based on the "threads" in the stone, it more than likely does contain
asbestos.  I believe Joanne Duby at Art City knew someone who had it tested
and the results were positive.  It is a beautiful stone, however.  Easier to
carve than some of the rich green serpentine that is found in California.

This exhausts my knowledge of "green" stone!  Have a great day.

Stacy Shure
Los Angeles, Ca.