Education
TYPES OF HEADSTONES
Upright Headstones
These commonly are made up of two pieces: The upright portion called the Die or Tablet and the bottom portion called the Base. Sometimes flower vases are attached to the vase at one or both ends of the base for decoration.
Flat Memorials
Also called Grass or Flush markers, these are markers that typically are even with ground level and are inserted into the ground. the top face is the only part that is usually showing with this type of memorial and they are the simplest form or memorial.
Beveled Memorials
Beveled Markers or Memorials are also called Pillow Markers and are simple memorials that are 2 inches taller on the back side of the memorial that the front. This angeled front gives a good vantage point for reading the memorial face.
Slanted Memorials
Slant Memorials or Markers have a much more vertical pitch versus the Beveled version and can be read at a greater distance. These monuments can either be used on their own or with a base to add a vase.
TYPES OF EDGES
Polished Edges
Polished edges and surfaces are super smooth and have an incredible luster; they often are equated with glass. After the granite has been brought from the ground, they are sawn into slabs, and polished iwth a course abrasive to get each side semi-smooth. The sides are then polished with finer and finer abrasives until the desires qaulity is achieved. A final buffing process is used to give the granite that final shine. Most monuments have at least one polished edge.
Sawn Edges
Sawn Edges are smooth, but may have lines that can been seen from the saw blade that was used. These are the sides that generally will not been seen after installation of your monument.
Rock Edges
Rock Edges, or Rock Pitched as it is sometimes called, are rough, rock surfaces that have literally been broken, or pitched, by hand using old fashioned tools of the trade. To get this effect, one must use a and chisel or guillotine to cut the stone where it needs to be done. This is a very common edge for headstone bases as it is very economical.
MONUMENT BASES
Polished Beveled Base with Polished Top
Polished Margin Base with Polished Top
Rock Pitch Edge Base with Polished Top
On this base, it features the standard polished top in which the headstone rests and the rock pitch, or rouch rock edge, that faces outward around the four edges. This is the most popular of all bases and is also the most affordable option.
Double Processing of Monuments, sometimes called a 'Frost'
In the engraving of monuments, the depth of cutting is very important to an enduring presentation of the stone. We strive to engrave each stone to a depth that ensures the natural shadowing effect of the carved inscriptions that will be readable for eternity. In order to ensure a high standard of quality, we always use a 'double process' on each stone with designs that call for “Flashed Panels”. These are the areas of a design where the polish is removed to create a contrast to make inscriptions stand out.
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