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MONUMENT/GRANITE INFORMATION

There are currently over 20 different colors available. Each quarry has a specific color. Some colors are quarried locally, such as, Fredericksburg and Marble Falls, Texas. However, some colors are quarried as far away as Norway, India, and Africa. The color of granite that is chosen greatly effects the price. Some colors are more expensive than others. This is partially due to supply and demand as well as quarry yield. If quarry yield is low, supply is low; demand becomes high as well as the price. The opposite is also true as with Georgia gray this color is in great abundance, this being less expensive. Blue pearl, which is quarried in Norway, is only quarried and produced 2 months out of the year, this greatly limits availability and makes the price go up. Another factor is shipping and tracking. Interstate regulations limit the amount of material that can be hauled on any one truck; therefore, shipping can limit how much is available in different parts of the country. The quarry classifies granite. The difference in the variegation or striations in the raw materials determines what class it will be in. Colors of granite are greatly affected by the geology of the earth. Mineral deposits such as iron contribute to the color as well as cooling fast or slow. If the molten granite cooled fast or slow it can affect the color. Basically, we are dealing with what the good Lord gave us.

MONUMENT SHAPES and SIZES

Dies

Dies are the upright piece of the granite that is placed on a base. A die is usually no smaller than 12"x12"x3" thick and can be in excess of 4 feet long and 2 feet high and 8: thick. The die can be polished, steeled or sawed. Dies are measured by length x width x height in increments of 2 inches. In addition a die can have an oval, serpentine, flat or other custom top.

Markers

Markers are referred to as grass markers or flats. Usually the markers are no less than 3" thick and do not exceed 8" thick. They can be fashioned in a variety of shapes. The marker is usually 2 feet x 1 foot for a single grave space and are 4 feet x 1 foot for a double grave space. In addition, a marker is usually not set with a concrete foundation for ease of maintenance in the cemetery. Core holes may also be cut for the purpose of ingound flowered vases.

Slants

A slant stone is also available. It is somewhat tall like a die. The face of the slant is at an approximate angle of 60 degrees. It can also range in size from approximately 1-0x1-0 to 4-0x1-6 or larger. The face is polished, the sides and top are usually rock pitched, but can also be polished. The slant does not need a base to stand upright as the die does because the slant has a wider bottom usually 10" to 12" wide. A slant can be placed on a base if preferred. In either case a foundation is usually poured.

Bevels

A bevel, k-marker, or hickey is like a cross between a slant and a flat. It sits low to the ground as a flat marker, but the face is slightly tilted; usually a difference of 2" from front to rear of the face. It also can be all polished or have rock pitched sides. It is commonly as small as 1-0'x10"x6" to 4"x1"-4"x10" or greater in size.

Ledgers

A ledger is a large piece of granite typically no less than 4" thick, 3 feet wide, and 6 feet long. It's purpose and function is to provide a solid cover for the entire grave space. Again it may be all polished or rock pitched on the sides. In some cases, core holes are cut for flower vases or a bevel or slant marker is used for the epitaph.

Other Monument Styles

There are other different shapes of stones that are used as headstones. They could be boulders, jagged slabs of granite, or even pyramid shaped stones. In such case, expense is high, the manufacturing process is labor intensive coupled by an increase of time to completion. Such items of granite are for unique individuals not mainstream America.

OTHER SERVICES

Curbing: Concrete or granite

Coverings: Concrete with chips

Installation: We install all of our work with substantial foundations.

Vases: All types, styles, and colors using granite, marble, bronze, and alloy metals.

Benches

Designs: All custom, personalized, or traditional are computer designed.

Rendering: Computer generated pictures are provided free of charge for your approval.

Cemetery Restrictions

Cemetery restrictions and regulations are an important factor for your comsumer's choice of monument. Some only allow bronze in granite, some allow only flats, or a cemetery may have a minimum and maximum size requirement. The cemeteries usually do not deviate from their standards. The consumer is limited in their choices of memorials. However, most rural cemeteries do not have restrictions which allows you and your customer numerous choices and possibilities. There also may be restrictions concerning the setting and foundation of the memorial. Certain cemeteries only allow their crew or staff to set. Usually they charge the customer a setting fee. In this case most monument companies will deliver at no charge*. However, some cemeteries charge for the foundation and allow the Monument Company to set the stone.