Laser, and Hand Etching, On Granite, Acrylic and More
Hand Etched Granite Monuments and Memorials.
These hand etched portraits and images are on black granite monuments and memorials. They are the most meaningful and difficult of all. I have been etching for about fifteen years. Some large and some being modest, is no suggestion to the weight of the stories and memories attached to these images. Working with prominent monument companies in my area, has provided the opportunity to be involved with inspiring and memorable people and families.
Just a little note from me, take photos of your family and friends while being together and making memories. Years and years from now they will be cherished, and they will tell a story that can be reflected upon and shared time and time again.
Here are just a few diamond etchings I have done in the past few years. I may add more in the future. I did not take photos of all my etchings, but I am working on taking some more and even going to the cemetery to find some monuments I missed. Some are on film, and waiting to be made ready for the computer.
When confronted with the decision of choosing a granite memorial or monument for a loved one, it can quickly become overwhelming. You may be forced into the purchase quite quickly. There are many granite, monument and memorial options available for you to select from. Don't rush into the purchase of a monument right away. Some families may wait some time before putting a monument or memorial in the cemetery until every thing is just right. That is the best way to go. Even if you feel rushed, great care and consideration should be placed on the selection of the granite company, the overall design of the monument or memorial, all the details of the person you want to honor, what type and color of granite you may wish to choose, and also the cemetery where the memorial is to be set, because each cemetery has rules and regulations that will effect most of your decisions. Also don't overlook the fact that granite memorials may only be set certain times of the year and cemeteries have cutoff dates due to freeze and thaw of your region. These things take time to work through. You may be lucky and find a nice granite memorial in stock at a local granite company, taking only a couple of weeks to deliver, or the granite may need to be quarried and completely hand tooled, taking a number of months. Granite monuments and memorials may be purchased at the cemetery, this may place added expenses to your piece of granite, and may also limit your design possibilities of the memorial. Look up local granite companies that specialize in granite monuments and memorials instead of buying the first stone presented to you. Costs may still be due to the cemetery and monument company, for example, future date cutting, foundation (footer) pouring, and setting costs. Most reputable granite monument and memorial companies will take all the time you need, and produce a number of design possibilities to you as well. Also be aware that the price of granite will depend on the color of the granite, the type of the granite, the availability of the granite, the size of the piece of granite, and any design that may be applied to the monument or memorial.
Some of the design possibilities for your granite tribute can include many possibilities. The granite stone may be called a marker, this is a type of memorial that is placed into the ground at the cemetery at the level of the grass, it can be a companion stone to a larger monument or as a separate grave marker for a single person or more than one person. A slant marker stands above the grass level but is usually shorter than a "normal" monument, it has a slanted face and seems to look up at you. A tablet is the traditional looking stone that stands upright, and usually honors a couple. A vault resembles a building and is large enough to honor a whole family. Monuments and memorials will need to have a concrete foundation (footer) poured to place the granite on to eliminate sinking and settling, this is also important if you are in a cold climate due to freeze and thaw, cemeteries only pour during the warm months. Also the upright stones may require a granite base that sits between the foundation (footer) and the granite monument or memorial, this is the piece of granite that also holds the flower vases. Also another little tid bit that might be helpful is that a husband and wife are usually placed side by side based on the way they stood facing the Pastor. Some more design possibilities include the shape (cut), and color of the granite. A large gray monument may cost the same as a small black memorial. Due to the cost of the granites, the gray granite is less costly than the dark granite due to the availability and how easily the granite is obtained. If the granite is polished on all five sides it will be much more costly than only two sides being polished. And if you consider extra carving, or extra tooling for more texture in the granite surface the price will go up. Sand blasting the surface of the granite can create the lettering, and also a carved appearance. When a piece of granite is hand tooled, the granite can take on a unique appearance, like changing the texture of the stone and look of the color, or by hand carving into the surface. Extra manufacturing can be done including making a bench for a functional monument, or a piece of granite that looks like garden art. So, to make it a little more simple, you could purchase a smaller gray granite stone, with maybe a granite tile in lay for extra detail, for much less than a solid black granite memorial with polished edges and an etching. Take the time to explore some of these options, you will end up with a lasting and very meaningful granite monument or memorial that tells a story of a lifetime.
The granite etchings pictured above I etched by hand. I started with a design, maybe all my own, or with input from the families. I then complete a drawing on paper to be viewed and approved by the family. Next they are etched on black granite monuments and memorials. Using an electric diamond tip tool, I etch the surface of the polished granite. The diamond is harder than the granite stone so it fractures the quarts that is contained in the granite, leaving the granite with a permanent artistic "scar". There are many types of granite, the black granite works the best to accentuate the contrast of the art work. There are several shades of black granite to pick from. Different quarries may have different names for each type of black granite color. Black granite may also have flecks, or even bands of lighter color granite passing throughout the stone. This is due to the quarts or even certain minerals deposited in that piece of granite. Some granite may be died with a black color to darken the stone, however this die will fade over a few years due to exposure to the environment. Make sure that the piece of stone (wherever you may buy it) does not contain a die. This may also depend on where the granite was quarried. Granite is quarried in countries like India and China. A monument company should be able to tell you where that piece of granite came from. After the etching is completed, the granite is sealed with a special product to protect it from the elements, this sealer can also be applied with color, however the pigment (color) may fade in the future, and may need to be applied at an extra cost.
I hope this information will help you, granite memorials and monuments can cost as much as a car, if not more, and last much longer, and are very meaningful. It can be a traumatic time, and to be faced with such a purchase, probably only once in a lifetime, it could make it even worse. Just take your time, you will definitely know when it's the right one.
