The largest gypsum field in Italy is located in Roccastrada, Tuscany. 200 million years ago there was a tropical ocean with coral reefs here. When this sea dried out large deposits of calcium sulfate crystalline formed. At the heart of this quarry, Gessi Roccastrada breaks the purest limestone, which is then refined and boiled under rigorous controls. Particular attention is paid to the management of the quarries; Once an excavation area has been exhausted, it is transformed into a wooded area under strict environmental quality criteria.
The sculptures are cast from the absolute purest fine granulometry white alpha hemihydrate made from a special selected gypsum stone which is obtained from specially selected limestone with a higher purity than 90%. This mixture is preferably used when extra high demands on finish, precision, weather resistance and hardness are are required, such as when casting complicated statues and columns. The cast result gives a chalk white, perfect silk matte surface without pores and with a stoneware like sound.