Processing natural stones is perhaps one of the oldest trades in history. Those who do this work, in addition to the mastery and manual skill that allows creating unique works, must have the ability to choose the raw material. Not all stones are the same and based on the purpose and destination it is preferable to opt for one type rather than another. In the case of designing headstones, cemetery sculptures, engravings, tombstones, etc., the choice is never simple. If it is true that materials available to stonemasons and architects are not lacking, it is also true that it is not always easy to follow the client’s ideas and find the best way to honor the memory of the person who has just left us or design a burial up to the expectations of those who commissioned it. In the indecision between stone or marble headstones, it becomes essential to learn to choose the best materials for stone tombs that can withstand the passage of time, without disappointing expectations.
Stone or Marble Headstones? Discovering different materials
If one thinks of the different models of headstones, the mind cannot but go to the classic funeral furnishings that can be admired in every cemetery: hand-worked marble headstones become the final resting place of dear departed ones and can demonstrate to the world the affection felt for the deceased person.
Yet, not all materials for creating headstones are the same: they range from terrazzo to stoneware, passing through granite and the most versatile materials, such as natural stones, suitable for different realizations and designed for an audience as demanding as it is elegant.
Modern Headstones to Remember Loved Ones with Elegance
- Terrazzo Headstones: although one of the most used materials, terrazzo is one of the compounds least resistant to bad weather: this is due to the high presence of water, used to mix marble or granite scraps with cement to create economical and extremely simple headstones.
- Granite Headstones: one of the most appreciated choices is granite, used both for its bright finish and for its high capacity to resist the passage of time, which makes it suitable for both family tombs and outdoor headstones.
- Stoneware Headstones: Stoneware, for its part, is the most expensive and difficult material to maintain, as it requires constant maintenance which however gives an incredibly elegant effect.
- Natural Stone Cemetery Headstones: generally cheaper than other materials, they are fascinating and unique. No stone will ever be same as another. Over time the stone changes without losing its beauty; for many of them, it is precisely thanks to the passage of time that they reach full charm.
The Stone Headstone: Economy and Durability in a perfect combination
Among the most appreciated stones, Peperino stands out. It is a natural stone obtained from the sedimentation of eruptive materials and already known in antiquity for its ability to last over time. Furthermore, Peperino is particularly appreciated because it is ductile and suitable for processing small sculptures. Widespread in the Tuscia area, today Peperino is a material requested throughout Italy and the world for its properties.
A stonemason, therefore, undecided between stone headstones or marble headstones, could opt for a traditional material or let themselves be tempted by the quality of natural stone to give vent to their imagination and create truly surprising unique pieces, suitable for remembering a loved one with elegance and simplicity.