ZIMPORTS
        Shona Art

ZIMBABWE STONE

   Serpentine is the most commonly used stone by artists in Zimbabwe. It ranges in color and hardness; the hardest being black serpentine, also known as springstone. Serpentine is thought to have formed 2.6 billion years ago. A 300 mile stretch of serpentine runs through Zimbabwe. Serpentine is formed in and from a rock, Dunite, and is rich in the mineral Olivine. Serpentine can have a smooth, greasy feel to it.

    Verdite is a semi-precious stone found in Zimbabwe which ranges in color from emerald to brown. It's 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.

    Soapstone is also used by sculptors. This is a soft and fragile stone.

    Steatite is found in an area of Zimbabwe called Guruve. It is mainly found in brownish or greenish colors. It is harder than soapstone and artists prefer it for it's better looks.

    Leopard Rock is found in an area of Zimbabwe called Ruwa. It is a very hard rock and difficult to work with. It gets it's name from the outer looks and colors of the stone.

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