Artists masterfully create contrast between polished and unworked stone areas to evoke depth, texture, and emotion in their sculptures. This technique highlights the natural beauty of the material while emphasizing the artist's skill.

One common method is selective polishing, where only specific sections are smoothed to a high shine, leaving other areas rough or untouched. This juxtaposition draws attention to the interplay between light and shadow, enhancing the sculpture's three-dimensional quality.

Another approach involves using tools like chisels, grinders, and sandpaper to create gradual transitions. Artists may leave tool marks or natural fractures in unworked sections to emphasize the stone's raw character, while polished areas reflect light and create a sense of refinement.

Texture contrast is also achieved by combining mechanical polishing with hand-finishing techniques. For example, a sculptor might polish curved surfaces to a mirror-like finish while preserving the stone's granular texture on flat or angular sections.

The choice of stone plays a crucial role. Marble, granite, and soapstone each respond differently to polishing, allowing artists to experiment with varying levels of sheen and roughness. By balancing these elements, they create dynamic compositions that invite tactile and visual engagement.

Ultimately, this contrast serves both aesthetic and symbolic purposes, representing themes like duality, transformation, or the intersection of nature and human craftsmanship.