Granite Colors Used for Grave Headstones

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Grave headstones are usually made from natural stone, such as granite, used to mark the place of a loved one's grave in the cemetery. Granite is a very durable material and is available in a wide array of colors. Quarries from all over the world are procuring granite for commercial and memorialization use. As a result of the hundreds of granite quarries that have sprung up all over the world, a rainbow of granite colors has made its way into the market place.

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 - The best granite colors for use as a base for a bronze marker are the ones with coarse grain characteristics. The large grain appearance is offset by the rich and fine details of the bronze relief work. Some coarse grain colors are: Moonlight Gray, Coral Gray, Rainbow, Sunset Red and Starlight Pink.

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