Rock formed through the cooling and solidification of molten material; granite and basalt are important sculptural examples.
Igneous rock is rock formed when molten material cools and solidifies. Depending on where and how cooling occurs, igneous rocks may develop very different grain structures, mineral compositions, densities, and working characteristics.
Granite and basalt are among the igneous rocks most familiar to sculptors. Their hardness, crystalline structure, and resistance to weathering distinguish their carving behavior from sedimentary stones such as limestone and metamorphic stones such as marble.
Etymology
From Latin igneus, “fiery,” from ignis, “fire,” referring to the molten origin of the rock.
Sculptor Notes
Geological classification matters in the studio because mineral composition and grain structure directly affect tool choice, cutting speed, edge behavior, polishing, and durability. Two stones that look similar can carve very differently.
References
https://www.pierres-info.fr/glossaire/index.html; https://www.britannica.com/science/igneous-rock