Can you carve any stone?
Stones obtained from quarrying does not contain required shapes and sizes. So, they are cut into required sizes and shapes with suitable surfaces. This process is called dressing of stones. It is preferable that the stones should be dressed at quarry site which reduces cost of transportation.
Types of stone used in carved sculptures
Limestone and sandstone, at about 4 on the Mohs scale, are the only sedimentary stones commonly carved. Limestone comes in a popular oolitic variety, about twice as hard as alabaster, that is excellent for carving. The harder serpentines can also reach 4 on the Mohs scale.