Frequently asked Questions

Q: Is the art work on the web site the entire collection?
Not at all. Mystery In Stone has an extensive collection of which the work shown on the web site is only a small sample. If you would like to find out about the remainder of our collection, please contact us for more information.

Q: Is this work for sale?
Yes.

Q: Where can i purchase your work?
You can purchase Mystery In Stone work at our gallery in Surrey, England, at one of our exhibitions, or we can make arrangements for you to purchase pieces via telephone or other means.

Q: How much does this art work cost?
The prices of our pieces range from a few hundred to several thousand US dollars depending on the reputation of the artist and the artistic significance and scale of each specific piece. We also have a number of extraordinarily rare master pieces in our collection that are priced more than hundred thousand dollars.

Q: Is this work a good investment?
Given Mystery In Stone's focus on providing only the best work of named and carefully selected emerging artists, much of Mystery In Stone collection work tends to appreciate in economic value over the years. It is also our experience that, over time, the appreciation and love that collectors have for the pieces that they have acquired from Mystery In Stone deepens significantly as well.

Q: What's the difference between this work and the work I see around?
Mystery In Stone neither exhibits nor sells the mass-produced "airport art" that can be commonly found in gift shops and discount galleries. Such work is often mass-produced in low-quality materials by workers of limited skill and creativity. More importantly, each item in Mystery In Stone's collection is guaranteed to be authentic coming with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist (or a surviving member of their family). Mystery In Stone is committed to protecting the integrity of all of the art work in it's collection.

Q: How do I take care of this kind of sculpture? Is it difficult?
One of the benefits of Shona Stone Sculpture is that it retains its striking beauty for years and years even if displayed outdoors (such as in a garden setting). Please click here to review our sculpture maintenance guide.
[PDF GUIDE HAS BEEN PROVIDED]

Q: What does Zimbabwe mean?
A: The name Zimbabwe means stone houses and is derived from the Great Zimbabwe Site, built around 1700 AD. It is a land of colour, a land of rich culture and history, a mosaic of peoples. Through the stone and paintings its artists reflect the Zimbabwe of today and reestablishes the nation’s unique identity in the world.

Q: What Type of Stone Is Used In Sculpting?
A: The stone that is most frequently used in stone carving is serpentine. Rated on the universally used Mohs Scale of Hardness {1 and below is talc, up to 10 is a diamond} serpentine ranges from 2.0 to 5.5 The much harder granites, newly discovered Kwekwe and Domboshava stones and ancient brilliant green semiprecious verdite {3.6 billion years old}, approach 9.0- the hardness of ruby, and are less frequently used by the artists. The serpentine found in Zimbabwe has well over 200 colour variations. Many of the carving stones come from the Nyanga mountains or near the great dyke, a volcanic ridge running for hundreds of miles through the countryside-the longest linear mass of volcanic rock in the world! Heat and pressure, concentrated on this ancient rock mass for millions of years have created unique mineral fusions now reflected in the unparalleled variety of colours, shadings, and combinations of stone. These are the main types used: a) Springstone found in black and gold colour. b) Green opal found in green, yellow and gold colours. c) Black and Brown serpentine, d) Staetite. e) Lapidolite found in purple colour.

Q: Where Is Zimbabwe?
A: Located in southeastern Africa, Zimbabwe is a landlocked country of 150,804 square miles-about the size of Montana-bordered by Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. Zimbabwe has a total population of approximately12 million people. The Shona people make up 80%, the Ndebele 15%, others such as the Batonga 4%, with the English, Indian, Greek and other nationalities accounting