Granite Headstone and Monument Terminology

Serpentine - A raised curved surface int he top of the Headstone 

Flat top -Top of the Headstone is flat Two way cut- the two sides of the top of the Headstone peak at the center

Gothic - A convex top which rounds up to a peak on the center line. 

Oval Top - A half curve top of the Headstone Apex The top of a die sloping upwards to a point from the four sides. 

Roof Top or Ridge Top - Slopes up from front nd back and peaks at the center top Axed or a surface dressed with a bush hammer.

Frosted Panel -The removal of the high polish by sand-blasting usually for the purpose of making lettering boxes.

Flat carving - A shallow sandblasting of the stone to produce a design 

Shaped Carving -Deep Carving using either a double or triple sandblast technique or hand carving. 

Rock Pitched - Back, sides, face, ends. Rough rocky surfaces on the Headstone or Base. 

Polished - A high glass finish, when followed by a number 1 ,2,3, or 5 refers to the number of sides of the headstone that are polished 

Steeled - a smooth but not highly polished surface on the Base 

Sawn Edges - Edges of usually Grave Markers or Bases that are straight cut and not rough rocked cuts. 

Ledger or Slab - A flat memorial placed full length on the ground, which usually covers the whole grave. 

Western Slant Marker - The front face of the Slant Marker goes straight to down the entire face of the marker. 

Front Nosing Slant Marker- the perpendicular facing on the front bottom of the marker.