Markers are available in various materials, but the most common are granite, bronze, or a combination. These materials are economical, long-lasting, and easy to maintain. Both are easy for artists, allowing designs ranging from simple and elegant to extravagant and detailed. It is essential to check with your cemetery to determine if a specific type of grave marker is required. A granite headstone may be appropriate in one part of the cemetery, but bronze may be necessary in another, such as a memorial garden.
Granite
Granite is an extremely hard, igneous rock composed primarily of quartz, mica, and feldspar. Its qualities make it an excellent stone for building structures and a preferred material for crafting memorial stones. Its strength makes it durable, long-lasting, and able to withstand harsh weather. Granite is available in many colors, such as gray, pink, blue, black, and green.
Due to its natural properties, granite can be polished to a beautiful shine, and its surface can be finished in any number of ways. This makes it the perfect material for personalizing. Modern carving techniques, which use diamonds and carbide, allow the craftsmen who create grave markers to engrave the stone with virtually any design.
Bronze
Bronze, an alloy primarily made of copper and other metals like tin, is one of the hardest materials available. This exceptional durability makes it a reliable choice for grave markers. The marker is crafted by heating the bronze to a high temperature until it liquefies and then passing it through a mold, which contains the personalization. After molding, a craftsman fine-tunes the marker, evens out imperfections, and applies brown tinting to the background. Over time, bronze develops a green patina, which some may find unsightly, but to others, it enhances the marker’s beauty, adding a touch of character and history.