Choosing a Stone: Granite, Marble, Slate and Sandstone
The stone decides how lettering looks, how it weathers and how it must be cut. Four families cover most memorials, plaques and signs.
Granite
Granite is a coarse-grained igneous rock made mostly of quartz and feldspar, with mica. It is hard and dense, which makes it durable outdoors. On polished granite, cut letters can stand out against the shine.
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock made of carbonate minerals, usually calcite or dolomite. It carves beautifully and has a long history in monuments. Because it is a carbonate rock, it is vulnerable to acids: acid rain can damage buildings, monuments and statues made of limestone and marble.
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock formed from shale or volcanic ash. Its fine grain can take sharp, delicate lettering, which makes it a popular choice for small inscriptions and house signs.
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock of sand-sized grains cemented together. It is warm in colour and easy to work, but softer stones weather more quickly, and fine detail can blur over time.
How to choose
- Check what the cemetery, landlord or local authority allows. Some places limit stone types, sizes and finishes.
- Think about where the stone will stand: exposed, shaded, near trees or traffic.
- Ask the mason to show samples of lettering cut in the stone you are considering, not just a polished slab.
Cut 2026-10-22