Stone carving is an activity where pieces of rough natural stone are shaped by the controlled removal of stone. Owing to the permanence of the material, stone work has survived which was created during our prehistory or past time.

Over the millennia, a few types of stone have become popular with sculptors. Here are the most common ones used for carving from the three different types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous: The characteristics of igneous rocks result from the way in which they were formed.

Numerous methods are available for carving stone, and each is appropriate for a particular style and detail: RELIEF CARVING: with this method, the design is carved into the stone in a way that makes it stand out from the surrounding area. For artistic creations and beautiful panels, it is perfect.

Quarra Stone Factory in Madison, Wisconsin, leads the world in cutting-edge digital and robotic manufacturing technology for complex stone forms. Harmonizing tradition and technology, they integrate 3D scanning, digital modeling, and robotics with skilled artisans' historic stone carving techniques.

Karin Sprague Stone Carvers, Inc., is a highly personalized stone-carving studio nestled in the woods of northern Rhode Island. Only about 30% of their work is for the living. Sprague, 53, and her small staff focus on the customer's loss, grief and healing.