Renaissance Stone

incredible resource for stone carvers. You just have to go. Robert is super nice.

the other reviews are correct =-)

I pushed thru the gate and soon met the two biggest dogs I have ever seen — European mountain dogs, about the size of black bears.
Robert found me in his office, which holds comfortably two people and two mountain dogs. I bought sets of small files, rifflers, small chisels and a small hammer. Then we walked outside for the tour of the stone yard.
I just wanted a small rock to try out the tools. But it’s not so simple as that. You may only buy a stone that speaks to you.
Piles of alabaster and soapstone sat silent as, well, a stone.
Finally I came across an assortment of black Canadian soapstones. One 28-​pounder had a large corner knocked off, revealing its coarse grain. It was green.
Robert squirted it with a hose — it became deep, rich black with a green patina.
And I knew that was my rock.
Now it is a rugged sculpture in the corner of my living room. The little tools worked well.
Today I got my second black Canadian soapstone from Renaissance.
I put this 108-​pound stone on a studio work bench (College of Marin), looked at it for two hours, and sure enough, it was my rock.

After nearly 2 years in SF, I finally made it here and it was everything I’d hoped for. Yes, I was a kid in a candy store — except the candy weighs 3~100 lbs and would taste pretty chalky — but it will appear equally delicious when polished!
Robert was extremely friendly, helpful, and patient with this amateur sculptor, answering all my annoying questions. He offers a broad range of sizes, colors, and prices for soapstone & alabaster. (I’m not cool enough for the marble.) He also had a limited selection of tools & books for sale, but they’re definitely not the focus.
He also gave me a brief gallery tour, which I’m sure lasted longer than he’d hoped… but SO INSPIRING. Someday I’ll be back for that marble!