Design Selections
Choose Your Memorial's Character
Every element of a memorial — from the granite color to the lettering style — is a personal choice. Browse the full range of options available to families and begin imagining the tribute that feels right.
Stone Selection
Granite Colors
Granite is the most durable and widely accepted memorial material in the world. It holds engraving with exceptional clarity and weathers beautifully over generations. The following colors represent the most commonly selected granites — each with its own character, origin, and visual weight.
Actual stone color may vary slightly from screen representations. We provide physical samples at our Memphis showroom.
Bronze Options
Bronze Colors
Cast bronze plaques and accents are available in a range of colors — from rich earth tones to bold accent hues. Each color is achieved through a controlled patination process and sealed to resist weathering. Bronze is typically mounted on a granite base and is widely accepted at cemeteries throughout the region.
Premium Colors
Standard Colors
Bronze develops a natural patina over time that deepens and enriches its appearance. This is considered a desirable characteristic of quality bronze memorials.
Surface Techniques
Sandblasting & Engraving
Two distinct techniques — each capable of producing deeply personal, lasting tributes. Sandblasting carves depth and dimension into the stone; engraving captures fine detail and portraiture with precision.
Sandblasting Styles
Sandblasting is the primary technique used to create lettering, borders, and decorative elements on granite memorials. The depth, texture, and style of sandblasting dramatically affects the final appearance of the stone. The following styles represent the most commonly requested approaches.
Standard Cut
StandardThe most common sandblasting depth — clean, crisp lettering and imagery with a smooth, matte texture inside the carved area. Provides excellent readability and a refined, professional appearance.
Deep Relief Carving
DeepA significantly deeper cut that creates dramatic shadow and dimension. Often used for large lettering, family surnames, and decorative borders. The depth creates a sculptural quality that reads beautifully from a distance.
Frosted / Satin Finish
ShallowA shallow, even sandblast that creates a soft, frosted texture across an entire surface or background area. Often used to create contrast between a frosted background and polished lettering or imagery.
Shape Cutout
Through-cutSandblasting used to cut entirely through a thin granite panel or to create a shaped silhouette — such as a cross, heart, or custom shape — as part of the monument design.
Texture Carving
VariableArtistic sandblasting used to create textured backgrounds — stone, wood grain, fabric, or natural landscapes — that give depth and realism to scenic and portrait designs.
Sandblasting depth and texture can be combined — for example, a deep-carved border with a standard-depth inscription. Our design team will recommend the best combination for your chosen granite color and design.
Engraving Techniques
Modern memorial engraving combines traditional sandblasting with laser etching to achieve levels of detail and realism that were not possible a generation ago. The following techniques are available individually or in combination.
Laser Portrait Etching
LaserA photographic-quality portrait rendered directly into the polished surface of the granite using precision laser technology. The result is a permanent, weather-resistant image of extraordinary detail and realism. Available in black granite and other dark stones.
Hand-Guided Sandblast Art
Sandblast ArtFreehand artistic imagery — landscapes, wildlife, religious scenes, floral arrangements — created by skilled artisans using sandblasting techniques. Each piece is unique and reflects the hand of the craftsman.
Raised Relief Carving
Relief CarvingThree-dimensional carved elements — crosses, angels, flowers, military insignia — that project from the surface of the stone. Typically combined with sandblasted lettering and laser portraiture.
Flat Emblem Etching
Emblem EtchingPrecise reproduction of emblems, seals, logos, and insignia — military branch seals, fraternal organization emblems, religious symbols, and custom artwork — rendered with clean, sharp lines.
Scenic Background
ScenicA full or partial background scene — a sunset, a mountain range, a river, a field — sandblasted or laser-etched to create a sense of place and memory behind the primary inscription.
Portrait etching requires a high-resolution photograph. We will advise on photo requirements during the design consultation.
Ready to Begin Your Design?
These selections are a starting point — not a limit. Every memorial we create is custom, and we welcome any vision, any symbol, and any combination of materials and techniques. Contact us to schedule a design consultation.