Monument FAQ's
What kind of stone do you use?
Almost all the stone is granite. Some marble is used.
Where does the stone come from?
Granite comes from various sites in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Africa, India and other exotic locations. Being the area's exclusive Rock or Age's dealer we're proud to offer the highest quality North American granite.
How is the memorial installed?
Cemeteries can have different requirements but most memorials have a concrete foundation underneath.
Can we submit designs of our own?
Yes, we do custom designs.
How is etching done on a monument, and can it be done on any monument, regardless of color?
Etching is usually done on black granite. This is because the process used to create the etch is simply scratching, or removing the polished surface of the stone, revealing the lighter, natural color of the rock underneath. This can be done by hand with a diamond-tipped etching tool, or by the use of a laser beam. Black granite is actually a medium gray color before it is polished. The image that is seen in an etch is visible because of this contrast of the dark polished surface and the lighter stone color underneath. If this technique was applied to a light colored, polished surface, such as gray, there would not be sufficient contrast for the image to be seen.
How long does it take to get a monument finished and installed?
In-stock memorials can be finished and installed in as little as two weeks. For custom memorials please allow 60 days.
How much does a memorial cost?
We would need all the details of what you want, to quote a price. The cost is directly related to the style and size of the memorial. Installation prices are fairly standard.
Many of the older monuments in the cemetery are hard to read. Why, and will my monument be this way with time?
It is true that many of the older monuments are hard to read. This is because of the material that was used plentifully at the time they were erected. Marble and limestone were readily available and easy to cut because they are relatively soft, compared to granite. The industry has learned over time that this material does not weather as well as granite. As a result, granite has become the material of choice for monument manufacturing.
Can I get my memorial done as a rush job?
Rush jobs are only done on in-stock pieces.
Can I drop in to show you what I want?
We are available for appointments during the day, evenings and weekends. Please call first. Although we are always on the job, we are not always at the shop.
