PRODUCT INFORMATION

General Description

Verdite is a light to dark green Serpentine-like mineral dating back 3500 million years ago. This beautiful green stone of Africa is also known as Bud Stone or African Jade. Verdite is the term used for a Fuchsite based rock discovered in South Africa. It is related with Serpentine from the eastern part of Zimbabwe and South Africa. The material has been given various common names over the past few decades and has been commonly used in Zimbabwe Shona carvings for many decades. The colours of the green are variable across pieces, with often swirling or banded complex patterns due to the colour intensity changes across pieces. Fairly soft and simple to carve.

Zimbabwe boasts a rich history of stone carving traditions that span many centuries. In recent decades, this unique craft has evolved to primarily focus on creating animal-themed sculptures and other items tailored to the local tourism market. While more contemporary works of art have been developed, they are relatively scarce beyond the country's borders. Regrettably, due to the economic hardships endured over the past two decades, primarily due to governance issues, the transfer of stone working and carving skills to younger generations has suffered. Among the younger population, the concept of carving or "art" as a means of livelihood is not widely embraced. At Toprock, we've taken on the mission of establishing a market for the meticulously hand-carved stone works of art originating from this region. These creations are all painstakingly polished by hand or with straightforward tools, resulting in a distinct aesthetic that may appear simplistic when compared to the precision of modern digital carving systems, such as those found in China. Nevertheless, we remain committed to encouraging a diverse range of items to be crafted, with the hope of preserving these century-old traditions. The carved items encompass an array of subjects, including various animals, pumpkins, mushrooms, dinosaurs of various species, ashtrays, dishes, and an assortment of regional curiosities. By supporting our endeavours, you play a pivotal role in sustaining the livelihoods of Zimbabwean artists and keeping their traditions alive. The materials most commonly used for these carvings include Lepidolite, Verdite, Leopard Stone, Butter Jade, and other soapstone's. Pricing depends on the grade, and the items are showcased as depicted. Explore the world of Zimbabwean stone carving artistry and contribute to the preservation of this unique heritage.

Price is grade dependant. Items are as show.

Product Data

Locality = Zimbabwe
Grade = Good to Very Good Grade
Size = 165 - 145 mm | 1.1 - 1.9 inch
Net Weight = 1.2 Kg | 2.7 Lbs
Product Type = Small Batch

Net Weight = 1.21 kg
SKU = A135812CRV