Types Of Headstones

GRANITE DESCRIPTION

Granite is one of the hardest materials on Earth.. Our Granite monuments are manufactured at quarries form all over the world and naturally come in literally a rainbow of beautiful colors and grains that make marvelous patterns. The original state of granite when first quarried looks much like any other stone. It's shine and robust colors are brought our when high polished. Its longevity has made it the most popular of all Stone Memorials. At one time, marble was the monument of choice, but it is somewhat soft as stone goes and lettering and designs wear with weather and time. Granite is practically timeless. Granite Headstones are available in an infinite amount of shapes and designs.

TYPES OF GRANITE HEADSTONES

There are basic types and styles which we would like to share with you. 

1. Grave Markers...Also called Flush or Grass Markers. 

2. Bevel Markers. These markers are similar to flush markers only the are slightly slanted up towards the back anywhere from 2-4 " higher. 

3. 2 Piece Die and Base. Also called Upright Headstones. These are 2 separate pieces a vertical tablet and a granite base it sits atop. They are not bolted together, instead the tablet sits on the base and is sometimes caulked or epoxied. 

4. Slant Markers. These come in 2 general types Western style where the face of the slant is polished all the way down to the bottom of the marker and Slants with Nosing -the bottom of the polished face of the marker is cut perpendicular for the bottom few inches. 

5. Family Plot Monuments- These are upright headstones that are generally very large intended to be for entire families. Sometimes only the Family Name is Engraved in the Monument with footstones placed for each individual family member. 

6. Slab Markers- These are memorials that cover the entire cemetery plot. Slabs are usually

3' x 7' and can be 4" or 6" thick. A slab is a good way to memoralize quotes, poems, sayings, and verses that are to large to fit on the upright monument.

DESIGN STYLES 

Laser Etch Headstones. This is process where either an artist by hand or a computerized etcher takes a diamond pointed tip and etches into the granite piercing the polished surface. This allows much more detail than sandblasting and in some cases can even duplicate pictures to photo quality. These designs are almost always better done on darker granite headstone since where the contrast of etching and polished granite are more pronounced and more detail is shown. Sandblast Design Headstones- this is where a stencil is cut and taped to the headstone where the design and letters are sandblasted into the granite. This is the more traditional type of design technique and is used on lighter granite and when the design and lettering is best cut deeper into the granite. Hand carved Design Headstones- This is done by an artisan who by hand and chisel carves out deep designs such as religious figures or roses for and 3 dimensional look of beauty.