A lightweight artificial stone system comprises a plurality of artificial stones, each of the artificial stones formed of at least some portion of cement, expanded glass, and styrene, the lightweight artificial stones having a density in the range of between about 30 and 70 pounds per cubic foot, each of the stones having six sides and including a first height dimension and a second width dimension, each of the height and width dimensions having a length unit being substantially a multiple of two, each of the stones having four ninety degrees corners and four of the six sides having a smooth surface to provide tight, cement-free seams between adjacent stones, the tight, cement-free seams inhibiting viewing of structure behind said plurality of artificial stones, each of the stones being of such a light weight so as to be held in position in the system by a lath-less and cement-free adhesive.