Stone Types

There are a number of different stone types to choose from, all with different qualities. They can all be shaped and sized to fit your requirements, some will suit different types of lettering and some will take carving or designs better than others. The face of the stone which will take the inscription will need to be smooth but it is possible to give the other sides and back slightly textured finishes or even a full rustic finish to create a softer, natural look.

Granite can be given a highly polished finish that will make it sparkle. We will be able to advise and offer help, below are some types more commonly used.

Click on any of the images to take you to photo examples in the stone type.

LIGHT GREY GRANITE

DARK GREY GRANITE

BLACK GRANITE

RED GRANITE

BLUE GRANITE

PINK GRANITE

Granite

Granite is the most commonly used and cost effective material for making a memorial. It comes in a large range of colours and finishes and it can also be made into any shape you want.

The majority of the granite comes from quarries in India and China.  It is very hard wearing and durable,  lichens and algae find it very difficult to attach to the stone and if they do soapy water and a cloth will usually clean it off. 

The inscription can be cut into the stone, normally this is done using the sandblasting method, and then a coloured paint or gild added to make the letters standout.  On granite, with the exception of black, the cut stone has very little colour difference to uncut so without paint the letters will not stand out.  The paint is just “sign writers paint” so over time this will fade but the cut lettering will not have worn so they can easily be re-painted.

Alternatively, you can used raised lead letters, this is a very old traditional form of lettering.  The lead is usually painted black or gilded, but as this fades over time the natural dark lead remains so the inscription remains legible. All of the granites can have a highly polished (reflective) finish or honed (eggshell) finish.

Beware that granite is very durable but it can still be marked by things that land on it, such as bird mess. Avoid placing items on the stone as this can cause staining particularly anything with metal that will rust, these stains can be very difficult to remove.

Nabresina

Nabresina is an Italian Limestone.  It is very hard wearing and comes in pale grey or Nabresina Light which is more creamy coloured.  When fresh you will see a slightly darker fleck of grey shell running through the stone.  It usually will have a smooth but unpolished finish.  It can have simple designs sandblasted or more intricate designs can be hand carved.

The letters can be sandblasted into the stone or hand cut as with granite.  It is better to add paint to help make the letters standout but if the letters are hand cut this isn’t essential.  Alternatively, you could use flush lead letters, these require no paint using the natural dark colour of the lead to make the letters stand out.  Slowly over the years the stone will darken and take on a natural patina but can be easily cleaned.

NABRESINA

NABRESINA LIGHT

PORTLAND STONE

Portland Stone

Portland Stone is another cream coloured limestone, paler than Purbeck stone and with less dark fleck or shells in the stone.  Again we would recommend using hand cut letters that will benefit from having paint added but not essential.  It can be made into any shape and can be smooth all around or rustic finished on the back and sides.  Beautiful hand carved designs can be added to make a really unique memorial.  Over time the stone will darken and take on a natural patina.

York Stone

York Stone is a hard wearing sandstone that is buff or beige in colour and has little variation or pattern in the stone.  It will need to have hand cut letters and can have hand carved designs.  Over time the stone will darken and take on a natural patina.

YORK STONE

PURBECK STONE

Purbeck Stone

Purbeck Stone is a beautiful cream colour limestone cut locally from quarries in Dorset.  When fresh it is clear to see a darker fleck and pattern of shell running through the stone.  We would recommend using hand cut letters that will benefit from having paint added but not essential.  It will take carvings well and these can be left unpainted.  It can be made into any shape and can be smooth all around or the back and sides can have rustic finishes to add more character.  Slowly the stone will darken and take on a natural patina but can be easily cleaned.  The Purbeck quarries are restricted to the amount of stone they can extract each year.  For a memorial we need the best quality so it can take 6 months or more to get the right piece of stone.

Slate

Slate is one of the most beautiful stones for memorials.  It comes in dark grey or dark green and is sourced from quarries in the UK.  It is very hardwearing and resistant to algae and lichens and can usually be cleaned using water and a soft cloth.  The letters will need to be hand cut and do not require painting, although when the stone is wet the inscription may be difficult to read.  The stone finish is usually smooth all around and can be made into any shape.  It will carve beautifully and can take very detailed designs.

DARK GREY SLATE

GREEN SLATE

MARBLE

MARBLE

Marble is an Italian limestone, it is predominantly white with a grey “cloud” running through it. It is a relatively soft stone so will weather and discolour over time. It was a very commonly used memorial stone, traditionally inscribed using flush lead letters and this still is the best way to put an inscription on the stone. It can easily be carved. In most cases it is not allowed in churchyards anymore but can be used in cemeteries.

Hamstone

Ham Stone is a local honey coloured limestone and has a large amount of character running through it.  The letters will need to be hand cut and paint added to make them stand out.  We need the best quality ham stone to make a memorial and we do our best to select this to ensure the stone will be perfect, but due to the nature of the limestone there is a possibility of some parts weathering more quickly than we would like.  Also, due to requiring only the best quality, it can take a very long time to get a suitable piece – in some cases over a year.

HAMSTONE