This page will give you a simple guide to the type of materials available for headstones.
Granite headstones
Granite is one of the hardest stones and covers all igneous stones. Colours range from black to light Grey, pink to red, blue and green. Some have a pearl effect when polished showing the mica within the rock.
Finishes: All types Finishes Page
Marble headstones
Marble is usually white and has a blue Grey vein. It is versatile in terms of carving therefore can be made very elaborate. However, as it weathers it turns Grey and becomes sugary, due to surface erosion.
Finishes: All types except polishing Finishes Page
Limestone headstones
This stone is formed under water and contains shells, such as in Portland stone. The colour ranges from cream to beige. Nabresina from Trieste in Italy is denser and finer grained than many British Stones.
Finishes: All types except polishing Finishes Page
Sandstone headstones
Silica stones, such as York, can be harder and more durable than Limestone. The colours vary from sandy to grey.
Finishes: Fine rubbed, tooled or pitched. Finishes Page
Slate headstones
Chemically similar to clay, this material is compressed into laminated form and is very strong. It can be split or sawn into thin slabs. It is usually blue/black or green.
Finishes: Fine honed or Riven - split through the lamination Finishes Page