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Granite Quality
The clarity and hardness of granite
determine its quality. A granite quarry may contain different
qualities of granite within the same quarry, muck like a coal
mine. A Quarry may have harder, cleaner granite in some areas and
softer and less clear granite in other areas. The hardness of
granite determines how well it can be polished, and how well it
can resist the elements of nature. The harder the granite, the
better the quality. Clarity refers to the grain structure and
clearness of color, although certain granites have a natural
veining or variegation.
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Lettering Quality
Lettering quality is determined
mainly by how deep the lettering is cut into the granite.
Durability and contrast are important to lettering quality. There
are a variety of lettering styles. Some styles work well on some
types of granite, while others do not.
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Carving Quality
There are two main types of
carvings: 2-dimensional carvings (often referred to as flat
carvings) and 3-dimensional carvings. Because 3 dimensional
carvings are sculpted and contoured by hand, they require more
skill and craftsmanship.
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Design Quality
Many monuments are true works of
art. A design should have a pleasuring balance between space and
design. A customer may choose a more traditional look or may want
to personalize the design of their monument to reflect their own
distinctive personality, life-style or interest.
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Installation Quality
Installation quality refers to how
the monument is set in the cemetery. Is the monument set straight
and level? Is the foundation that the monument is set on
substantial enough to resist the tipping that can be caused by
thawing and freezing ground temperatures? Is the monument sealed
together properly with a professional monument sealer and not just
stuck down in the cement which can stain a monument? many
cemeteries have specific rules governing the size and depth of a
monument's foundation.
