>What difference does AE make?

You introduced it "Then why do we see quite the opposite in AE hard granite statuary?".... not me. I think the reason why the LoSt OnEs needed webs would be more useful here..... care to enlighten us?

>So what does any of that have to do with arms breaking off?

Again you introduced it "So you're just talking about surface hardness. A materials ability to be polished."...... not me!!

>Helloooo.. Anyone home ??

First.... second..... third time around. Rock hardness is referring to its fracture strength not mineral abrasion hardness! You can't polish a rock if the mineral grains are falling out because the rock hardness is too low irrespective of whether it is made out of diamond or talc. Rock hardness is mainly the result of how well the mineral grains are bonded together which can vary depending on such things as grain-size, mineral shape, porosity,.......

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