What tools are used to achieve a weathered, ancient look in modern stone sculptures?

Contemporary sculptors employ various specialized tools and methods to create the appearance of age and weathering in stone sculptures. Mechanical tools including angle grinders with diamond wheels, bush hammers, and pointed chisels are used to replicate centuries of erosion and surface damage. For color aging, artists apply chemical patinas using iron sulfate for reddish tones, manganese dioxide for blackening, and various acids to simulate mineral leaching. Organic treatments like yogurt or moss applications encourage natural biological growth for authentic aging. Sandblasting equipment creates uniform surface wear, while manual abrasives like pumice stones add nuanced weathering effects. Many artists combine these techniques, first mechanically texturing the surface before applying chemical treatments that interact with the stone's mineral composition to produce unique, authentic-looking results that mimic natural aging processes over decades or even centuries.