Stone sculpture stone carving. Alabaster and softer kinds of serpentine, all about 3 on the Mohs scale, are more durable than soapstone. Alabaster, in particular, has long been cherished for its translucence. Limestone and sandstone, at about 4 on the Mohs scale, are the only sedimentary stones commonly carved. Limestone comes in a popular oolitic variety, about twice as hard as alabaster, that is excellent for carving. The harder serpentines can also reach 4 on the Mohs scale. Marble, travertine, and onyx are at about 6 on the Mohs scale. Marble has been the preferred stone for sculptors in the European tradition
Greek Cypriot name Greek Cypriot name Greek Cypriots may bear common Greek surnames, but there are some which are markedly Cypriot; there are some names which indicate place of birth or origin, or occupation, for example: "Παφίτης" (Paphitis), "from Paphos"; "Καϊμακλιώτης" (Kaimakliotis), "from Kaimakli"; "Σκαρπάρης" (Skarparis), "shoemaker"; "Κωμοδρόμος" (Komodromos), "smith". As most Cypriots used patronymics until independence when surnames became officially used in public registers, a similar process of creation of surnames took place to that of other Greek-speaking populations outside Greece, e.g. the Pontians. A good example would be "Ευσταθιάδης" (Efstathiades). In keeping with older traditions of Greeks, Cypriots often have as