Polished (Glossy)
Abrasives are rubbed on the surface of the stone with high-speed polishing wheels to create a polished surface
Polished Margin
The surface is polished and a panel area is frosted, making a place for lettering.
Matte (Frosted)
Sawed, Steeled, Frosted - This matte finish is created by sawing the surface. It may also be accomplished by sandblasting the surface with steel shot, or by frosting it with sandblast sand.
Hewn (Rock Pitch)
Shell Rock - This is a hewn surface with hewn sides. This also referred to as Rock Pitch when seen on the sides of a monument.
Finishing Techniques
Sand Carving
This is a time-consuming technique that requires years of training with sandblast tools. This process involves shaping the petals and leaves of flowers with a special sandblast nozzle. Shaped carving gives depth and a sense of reality to the carvings on a monument.
Etching (Laser & Hand)
Typically used on black granite, this technique cracks the surface of the granite using a diamond-tipped tool or a laser. When the granite's polished surface is etched it creates a high contrast image on the stone. This is popular for photos and portraits.
For more information, click here.
Sunk (V-Sunk) Sandblasted In Steeled Finish (Modified Roman)
Frosted Outline (Double Outline) Letters in Polish (Sans Serif/Optima)
Frosted Outline (Double Outline) Letters in Polish (Modified Roman)
Sunk (V-Sunk) Sandblasted In Steeled Finish (Uncial Gothic)
Square Edge Raised Letters in a Straight Line Panel (Modified Classic Roman)
Frosted Outline (Double Outline) Letters in Polish (Custom Font/Hand-Drawn)
Sunk (V-Sunk) Sandblasted In Steeled Finish (Old English)
Frosted Outline (Double Outline) Letters in Polish (Old English)
Sunk (Sandblasted) Into Polish (Vermarco)
Sunk (V-Sunk) Sandblasted In Steeled Finish (Condensed Modified Roman)
Sunk (V-Sunk) Sandblasted In Steeled Finish (Modified Roman)
Round Edge Raised Letters in Relief (Custom Lettering/Hand-Drawn)
Round Edge Raised Letters in a Straight Line Panel (Modified Classic Roman)
Carving
Bas Relief
The entire surface of the monument is cut away, leaving the flowers in bas relief on top of the other surface.
Etching (Laser & Hand)
Typically used on black granite, this technique cracks the surface of the granite using a diamond-tipped tool or a laser. When the granite's polished surface is etched it creates a high contrast image on the stone. This is popular for photos and portraits.
For more information, click here.
Flat Carving or Line Carving
This process involves sandblasting an image (of a flower, for example) on the stone. There is no dimensioning or relief given to the carving.
Shaped Carving
This is a time-consuming technique that requires years of training with sandblast tools. This process involves shaping the petals and leaves of flowers with a special sandblast nozzle. Shaped carving gives depth and a sense of reality to the carvings on a monument.
Lettering
We offer many styles of lettering. In addition to a variety of fonts, we also offer a variety of techniques for carving lettering into stone. This involves different outline treatments as well as different processes for finishing the stone or panel area around lettering. Here are some samples that may help you with your selection.