Common Monument Finishes

 

The finish of a granite monument or memorial describes how the surfaces of the stone are manufactured.  A polished surface is one of the most requested for the front and back (or top) of a monument. This type of surface is created by slowly “sanding” the granite with water and abrasives until it becomes smooth and glassy. A rock pitched surface is also known as “rough-cut” or “rustic”.  Skilled stonecutters create this finish manually with a hammer and chisel.

The most common finish for an upright monument is polished front and back with the top and ends rock pitched. 

Grass (flat) markers and bases for upright monuments typically are polished on the top and rock pitched around the sides.

Other common finishes that you might see in your cemetery:

Steeled: A light smooth texture in the granite surface created by sand blasting.

Creates the look of a lighter, frosted panel or lighter, textured artwork on the granite’s surface. Helps create a contrast between the darker granite color and the lettering or sandblasting.

Sawn: It is created when a diamond tipped saw makes a straight cut through the granite. The resulting texture is fairly smooth, with shallow “linear lines” from the saw blade. The sawn area usually appears slightly lighter in color than the actual granite.

Axed: A wide variety of smooth and textured patterns made by pneumatic hammers and steel chisels.  If a surface must be smooth but it cannot be sawed to that shape, it usually has to be axed by a skilled stonecutter.

Shell Rock: A hand-cut rustic surface with a strong, scalloped or dish shaped appearance, cut by a skilled cutter with a hammer and chisels.

Keep in mind that the finish of the granite can affect the cost of the monument more than any other factor.