STONE ART QUALITY

So you have found a piece of carved African stone art that really appeals to you. Of course this is a major part of the appreciating the artwork, but what about the quality?

If you like the piece, perhaps there is no debate about the stone quality. But this may depend on your investment, because the better the quality then the better the value – and your investment. A general guideline is the stone hardness.

SOFT STONES

Soft stones, such as Soapstone (MOHs 1-3), are easy to carve and can produce superb art. However, the ability to resist marks and “bruising” is usually poor, so your artwork can suffer with time. Some very soft stones will deteriorate in air, in other words air will “rot” the stone and cause it to crumble. Sadness is the result because this class of soft stone is extremely difficult (often impossible) to repair or refinish.

HARD STONES

Hard stones, such as Springstone (MOHs 7-8) produce lasting art. It resists marking, scratches, and is easy to keep clean. Polished pieces are easy to touch up. If you have Verdite (MOHs 7-9) then you have incredible colours (the best is green Verdite) as well as hardness. While hard stones last a lifetime (and much longer), any stone can be damaged by accident. However, a hard stone can be repaired and refurbished such that the damage vanishes (this is a task that can require expertise for perfection).

FLAWS

Another attribute to look for are “hidden” flaws (all stones may have flaws). Here the stone may have been damaged during carving then repaired by the artist. A dark line through the stone may be natural, or it can be a repaired crack – this is difficult to identify which you are looking at, and often requires a master to inspect the stone and tell you what you are seeing.

Natural lines can be inclusions of Corundum or other minerals. These are not flaws, and often enhance the artwork, adding interest and colours.

HARDNESS, QUALITY, FINISH AND PRIDE

We devote a great deal of attention to the stone, the hardness and the finish, as well as the appeal of the artwork itself. Selecting the best quality is a challenging task, because our focus is on the investment value of the complete piece.

In conclusion, the pride of the artist is key. This will show in the workmanship, material, quality, and finish. And your satisfaction.

DID YOU KNOW?

KIMBERLITE forms the diamond bearing pipes of rock, such as the Kimberly Hole in South Africa. In the late 1800’s the Kimberly miners stopped working the pipe when they found the rock became too hard for hand tools. Mines were sold and became consolidated. One buyer had a large piece of Kimberlite in his home, and a year or two later it fell and cracked – and the buyer realised that the rock softened in air. Of course he became wealthy.