Butter Jade
Physical Properties: Butter Jade has a creamy yellow colour with dark striations throughout and is sometimes also known as Butterstone. Although it is called 'jade', it is not however a true jade. The striations found in the attractive yellow-green sedimentary rock are actually layers containing fossilized algae. The stone is typically around 50 million years old and between 6 and 7 on moh's hardness scale.

Spiritual Properties: This particular variation is called Nephrite, a cream or tan coloured Jade. It is a Talisman for protection. Also helps balance female & male energies within the self which provides further balance with a partner in a relationship as well. Physically, Nephrite Jade is used in the crystal healing of the physical heart, and kidney problems.

Cobalt
Physical Properties: Cobalt is a brittle, relatively rare hard metal, closely resembling iron and nickel in appearance. it has a hardness of between 5 and 6 on moh's scale.

Spiritual Properties: This stone is a variety of Serpentine and is creatively & emotionally uplifting. “heals all infections” creating harmony with all that is: perfection. Cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer & cellular disorders.

Opalstone
Physical Properties: Opalstone is famous for it's milky light coloured greens and smooth texture. It is also unique in that it has fewer colour variations than serpentine. It is also known as opalite to the locals and is mined at Chiweshe, two hours north of Harare . This stone is one of the favourites of carvers, as it's not as hard as springstone and other serpentines, but still polishes to a high finish. Opalstone also has, at times, a brown colour throughout the predominate green. The appearance can be smooth or mottled. As with most of the stones mined for the purpose of sculpting, opalstone is mined without the use of power tools.On the mohs hardness scale, opalstone rates between 5.0-5.5. opalstone is also found in Australia and Mexico.

Spiritual Properties: Opalstone is a stone of inspiration which enhances imagination and creativity. It helps one release inhibitions and enhances memory. Opalstone is also a very spiritual stone, and can help one be "invisible" in situations where one doesn't care to be noticed. Opalstone brings happy dreams. It also eases the process of change. Physically, Opalstone is helpful for eyesight and Parkinson's disease.

Lemon Opalstone
Physical Properties: Lemon Opalstone has the same physical properties as Opalstone above but instead of a plain green, it is easily identified by contrasting yellow striations within the stone.

Spiritual Properties: Works with our Solar Plexus or “will center”. Furthers mental stimulation and inspiration.

Leopard Stone
Physical Properties: Leopard stone (not to be confused with leopard skin stone from the jasper family) is a variant of the quartz family and typically has a striking pattern of dark and light green mottling. On the mohs hardness scale leopard stone varies between 6.5 and 7.0

Spiritual Properties: Leopard stone is a hard yellow/green Serpentine characterized by black blotches. It is a stone of shamanic journeying. It also aids in service to others. It helps discover and connect with one's animal totems or "power" animals. It makes it easier for one to take responsibility properly. Helps with creative visualization. This is a protective stone, and it is particularly protective during shamanic journeying. Physically it helps eliminate toxins and decreases body odor, and is very helpful in self-healing. It has properties of protecting the third chakra.

Red Jasper
Physical Properties: Red Jasper is composed of silicon dioxide and like other jaspers tends to be more colorful, more opaque and massive, lacking patterns. it is found commonly throughout the world and on the moh's hardness scale rates a 6 - 7. Red Jasper is thought to bring emotional balance and soothes heart-aches.

Spiritual Properties: Red jasper is a stone of fairness and justice. It decreases unjustness and helps in unfair situations. It enhances responsibility, choice, and compassion. It can enhance dream recall and assist in protection and rescue from danger. Red jasper is associated with the first and second chakras. It has a stabilizing effect, and can help one take all one's energy and use it in a balanced manner. It is also a stone that helps in all areas of survival, and is a very protective stone. Red jasper is a stone of controlled passion and can be used to help control one's own passions. Physically it assists in healing by maintaining positive movement with all types of disorders and disease.

Serpentine /Black Serpentine/Fruit Serpentine
Physical Properties: Serpentine is the next hardest stone with a rating of 4.0-5.0 on mohs hardness scale. Black iron serpentine derives it's name from the deposits of iron found in it and is one of the hardest and darkest stones found in Zimbabwe . It has the most amazing black lusterless finish that resembles the black opal and is highly sought after because of it's fine finish, durability and hardness.

Spiritual Properties: Also known as New Jade is a beneficial and versatile stone. It will help with emotional cleansing, psychic powers, and attract love and money. Serpentine sometimes contains Magnetite which dispels grief, fear, and anger. It is also used in the rise of the kundalini, facilitating this rise by opening a path that lessens discomfort. In addition, serpentine is a protective stone. It is especially protective against snakebite, poison, and venom. Serpentine is an excellent stone for meditation. Physically serpentine eliminates parasite infections and removes venom and other poisons.

Soapstone
Physical Properties: Soapstone is a natural soft stone and is sometimes referred to as Rapoko stone in Zimbabwe depending on it's colours. It's remarkable qualities have made soapstone one of the most widely used art minerals on earth. In Zimbabwe , one of the many places where high quality soapstone is found is the Mashava mine. Mashava is in the Masvingo district, 5 hours south of Harare . As with all the stones used for sculpturing, except the semi-precious verdite, soapstone is mined with crow bars, picks and shovels only. Although somewhat soft, soapstone is a very dense stone and is denser than marble, slate, limestone and even granite. If anything is spilled on the stone, it will remain on the surface of the stone, and not penetrate the surface. Soapstone is found on every continent in the world and has been used by native people all over the world for thousands of years. Items have been found in igloos as far north as the artic, the tombs of pharaohs, palaces of China and India , mountains and valleys of the arid plains of Africa . It's mineral composition is 40-50% talc, 40-50% magnesite and 5-8% penninite.

Spiritual Properties: Also known as “Steatite” is a stone that helps to “widen ones horizons” and assist in times of change. It allows us to be ready for new situations & challenges and also be open to these new ways. Very calming and bring peace to ones center of being. Allows one to release old routines and create new loving environments. Physically it can be used in the treatment of fat digestion. Stimulates the Liver and gall bladder function.

Springstone
Physical Properties: Springstone is one of the hardest stones used for sculpturing in Zimbabwe . There are a few mines where this stone is found, but Guruve, in the north, is where Springstone is mined. A beautiful dark stone, it polishes to a high shine because of it's density. A feature of this stone, is often, it will have a softer brown layer, which adds to the appeal. As with most other stones that are mined for the purpose of sculpturing, this stone is mined by hand on communal lands.

Verdite /Golden Verdite
Physical Properties: Verdite has a unique emerald looking quality with brown and green striations and is known as "green gold" because it is a semi-precious stone that is unfortunately becoming rare and therefore increasingly more valuable. It is a hard stone and only the more experienced sculptor will dare to sculpt it. on the mohs hardness scale verdite rates between 7.0-9.0.

Spiritual Properties: This is a stone that stimulates the energy centers/charkas and is another name for Serpentine. It can assist the movement of Kundalini. Often, Verdite is used to access and assimilate ancient knowledge. Emotionally, Verdite brings consistency, stability, and fortitude. Physically Verdite is used for cleansing the blood, removing toxins, and genital disorders.