The primary carving stones I use are Italian Alabaster, either translucent white (where light will pass through the stone) or opaque white (where light will not penetrate the stone), and Soapstone (talc block) which will be mostly light and dark green in colour. However, both Alabaster and Soapstone do come in a variety of beautiful colours offered here.
In some carving stones, there may be some veining. Some stone may have fissures which are naturally occurring in many types of stone and may not be visible until you cut the stone.
While alabaster comes in many colours, the favourites of sculptors everywhere are the translucent and opaque white alabaster. Green soapstone and white alabaster are suggested as carving stones for beginners.
Imported from Italy these alabaster blocks eliminate the work required to reduce a stone boulder or slab for carving in the round (3-dimensional carving). Considered a medium hard stone, alabaster is a bit harder than soapstone. Opaque white.
