The spirit world plays an important role in Zimbabwean society co-existing alongside Christianity, with spirits inhabiting even inanimate objects such as stone. Some sculptors contemplate the raw stone and use their tools to release the "spirit" within, with the result that each piece of sculpture is unique and imbued with intense spirituality.

Serpentine, the most commonly used stone, occurs in a range of colours from green to black. The darkest Serpentine, also known as Springstone, is the hardest and therefore most popular with sculptors. At the green end of the spectrum is Opal stone, a delicate milky teal. Less common and highly prized is Verdite, a semi-precious dappled green stone.