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Granite Colors Used for Grave Headstones

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Grave headstones are grave markers usually made from natural stone, such as granite, used to mark the place of a loved one's grave in the cemetery. They can be found in all shapes and sizes and in many cases you will find grave headstones that have been carved to have the appearance of an artist's sculpture.

History of Grave Headstones

For centuries people of all cultures have chosen to mark the grave of a loved one with some type of memorial. In the early years grave headstones were first made from soft natural stone such as sandstone, limestone and slate. The methods for carving the personalized details were crude and in many cases the final engraving was shallow. This made it difficult to read the names and dates as time and wind eroded the surface.

In the middle 19th Century skilled artisians created an industry of manufacturing grave headstones made from marble. In the latter part of the same century the industrial revolution brought about the invention of modern days tools and methods that made the quarrying and fabrication of marble and granite economical.

Grave Headstones Made From Granite

It was in the early 20th Century that the use of granite became wide spread for use in the manufacture of grave headstones. Through the use of modern machinery, grave headstones made from granite became affordable for most people. Granite, because of its hardness and durability, is the best material for grave headstones as it can withstand the harshest environments with no change to its natural beauty. Additionally granite will hold any carved design and remain unchanged for centuries to come.

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Granite Color Groups

When granite was first used in the US for grave headstones, the most popular color was gray granite. While gray is still the most popular there are many other colors now available. Those granite colors mentioned in this article represent only a small portion of all the colors available. There are several popular granite color groups that are used in grave headstones.

Grays - By far the most popular group, gray granite can be seen in just about every cemetery across the country. Georgia Gray granite, is very economical as it comes from Elberton, GA the granite capital of the world. Other gray granite colors in this group are: Barre Gray, Sierra White, St. Cloud Gray, Moonlight Gray, and Coral Gray. The latter two being used mainly as granite bases for bronze memorials.


Georgia Gray	Barre Gray	Sierra White

St. Cloud Gray	Moonlight Gray	Coral Gray

Browns - A very warm and soothing granite color, the browns in this group, when polished, produce a very heart warming appearance. Some of these granite colors are known by more than one name. They are: Dakota Mahogany/Carnelian, Colonial Rose/Lac Du Bonnet and Rainbow.


Dakota Mahogany	Colonial Rose	Rainbow

Pinks - The granite colors in this group are known for their graceful pink hues and delicate appearance although they are as durable as any other color. Some of the more popular pink granite colors are: Salisbury Pink, Morning Rose and Starlight Pink.


Salisbury Pink	Morning Rose	Starlight Pink

Reds - Red granites are very eye catching as they have a mystical appearance about them. The popular colors in this group are: India Red, Mountain Red, Wassau Red and Sunset Red.


India Red	Mountain Red	Wausau Red	Sunset Red

Blacks - The darkest of the bunch, black granite produces the most brilliant reflection when polished to a high sheen. The contrast between the dark polished surface and carved areas make for excellent sandblasting medium. The colors in this group are: India Black/Absolute Black, Academy Black, Black Galaxy.


India Black	Academy Black	Black Galaxy

Characteristics of The Granite Colors

Not every granite color is well suited for any application. Some because of the fine grain patterns are excellent choices for carving headstones. Others make a good choice as a granite base for a bronze grave marker.

Sandblasting/Carved Grave Headstones - Granite colors in this grouping work best because they are composed of a medium to fine grain pattern which makes for excellent carving in grave headstones. The granite colors that work best for this medium are: Dakota Mahogany/Carnelian, Colonial Rose/Lac Du Bonnet, Salisbury Pink, Morning Rose, Sienna Pink, Georgia Gray, Barre Gray, Sierra White, St. Cloud Gray, India Red, Mountain Red, Wassau Red, India Black/Absolute Black, Academy Black and Black Galaxy.

Granite Bases for Bronze Grave Markers - These granite colors as a result of their coarse grain characteristics, are best suited as granite bases for a bronze grave marker. They are: Moonlight Gray, Coral Gray, Rainbow, Sunset Red and Starlight Pink.

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