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FAQ
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Are all monuments and other stone products the same, regardless of where they are purchased?
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How are monuments made and where do they come from?
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Is there a practical advantage to polishing the top or ends (sides) of a monument?
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I have heard that black granite is the most expensive. Is this true?
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How is etching done on a monument, and can it be done on any monument, regardless of color?
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Many of the older monuments in the cemetery are hard to read. Why, and will my monument be this way with time?
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Who will deliver our monument and set it in the cemetery?
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Are granite countertops expensive?
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- Q:
Are all monuments and other stone products the same, regardless of where they are purchased?
A: NO! - Learn
More
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- Q. How are monuments made and where do they come from?
A. The material used for stone monuments is quarried from beneath the earth’s surface. Huge blocks of stone
are cut from cliffs of the quarry with a jet burner fueled by liquid oxygen and jet fuel. Once cut, the huge block is jolted from the ledge with a dynamite charge, then lifted to the surface by huge cranes.
Once at the factory, these blocks are sawed into slabs, polished, then broken in selected sizes for monuments and markers. Carving and lettering is done using a combination of sandblasting and hand sculpturing.
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- Q.Is there a practical advantage to polishing the top or ends (sides) of a monument?
A. A monument will wear the same whether the top or end surfaces are polished or not. However, polishing the top will keep the monument cleaner, especially in shaded areas of a cemetery. In shady areas, the stone surface will stay wet longer, aiding in the growth of mold spores and mildew. This can become quite unsightly on the monument, and can, over time, cause permanent staining. Polishing the top of a monument significantly reduces the chance of this happening. Some of our customers believe that a monument looks more finished if the top and ends are polished. On the other hand, some say they like leaving these surfaces rough, since after all, the monument is made of stone, and to them the rough surface looks more natural.
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- Q. I have heard that black granite is the most expensive. Is this true?
A. No, there are other colors that are more expensive than black. Additionally, we
have certain colors of black that are quite affordable. As a general rule, the
darker the polished stone, the more expensive it will be. One of these more affordable black granites is flash black. Though not jet-black, it satisfies the taste of many of our clients who desire a low cost black granite. Black granite is included in a group of colors that are on the higher end of the price spectrum. We believe this is true for a couple of reasons. First, black granite is very popular. This effects its price. Second, the blackest granite is imported from overseas, from places like India, Africa and China. Freight cost is a factor. Last, etching is incorporated onto black monuments. This etching process is what in many cases contributes the most to the final price of a black monument. If black granite is your preference, we can meet that need for any budget.
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- Q. How is etching done on a monument, and can it be done on any monument, regardless of color?
A. Etching is usually done on black granite. This is because the process used to create the etch is simply scratching, or removing the polished surface of the stone, revealing the lighter, natural color of the rock underneath. This can be done by hand with a diamond-tipped etching tool, or by the use of a laser beam. Black granite is actually a medium gray color before it is polished. The image that is seen in an etch is visible because of this contrast of the dark polished surface and the lighter stone color underneath. If this technique was applied to a light colored, polished surface, such as gray, there would not be sufficient contrast for the image to be seen.
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- Q. Many of the older monuments in the cemetery are hard to read. Why, and will my monument be this way with time?
A. It is true that many of the older monuments are hard to read. This is because of the material that was used plentifully at the time they were erected. Marble and limestone were readily available and easy to cut because they are relatively soft, compared to granite. The industry has learned over time that this material does not weather as well as granite. As a result, granite has become the material of choice for monument manufacturing.
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- Q. Who will deliver our monument and set it in the cemetery?
A. We delivery and set our own monuments. There are services available to do this for us, but we know that the appearance of a monument in the cemetery is the final result of our labors and the proof of our abilities. The most beautiful monument can look terrible if it is not set properly. Also, the lasting beauty of a monument over the years has much to do with the techniques used in the setting process. This is not the time for short cuts and haphazard methods. In short, we have seen the work others do, and we are not impressed. As long as humanly possible, we will directly supervise the setting of our
monuments.
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- Q. Are granite countertops expensive?
A. Granite is comparably priced with other premium kitchen work surfaces, and has many advantages to consider. First, granite brings a look of distinction and richness that nothing else can. Second, granite is superior to all other surfaces in regard to durability. Third, the density and hardness of granite makes its glossy surface impenetrable, assuring a lasting beauty for the years to come. And last, granite maintains its value better that other premium surfaces, making it the best investment for your money.
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