steinbearbeiding

Steinbearbeiding, or stoneworking, is the craft and industry of shaping natural stone into architectural elements, sculpture, or functional objects. The practice covers the life cycle of stone—from quarrying and extraction to cutting, carving, finishing and installation.

Common stone varieties include granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and basalt. Traditional hand tools such as hammers, chisels and punches are used alongside modern power tools, including angle grinders, pneumatic hammers and diamond blades. Techniques range from roughing-out and trimming to relief carving and freehand sculpture, followed by smoothing and polishing with abrasives.

In architecture, steinbearbeiding produces blocks, mouldings, façades, and decorative details, while in sculpture it creates statues and reliefs. Stone repair, conservation, and restoration are important allied activities to preserve historic materials and structures.

Applications span construction, interior design and landscaping—facades, countertops, cladding, paving, and memorials. The field has deep historical roots in many cultures and continues to evolve with digital fabrication, such as CNC carving and 3D modeling, as well as sustainable quarrying practices.

Education and safety. Traditionally learned through apprenticeships, the craft now also has formal programs in vocational schools for masonry, carving and conservation. Work involves hazards such as respiratory risks from silica dust, heavy lifting and machine use, requiring protective equipment and proper ventilation.