Marble Vs Granite Gravestones

The marble is slowly wearing away.

Marble vs granite gravestones.

Granite is the future. If you re seeking a standout structure without detailed carving then marble might be ideal. Granite is metamorphic or igneous made up of silica mica feldspar and quartz generally with a packed granular surface. The biggest difference between granite and marble is the hardness of the stone.

The darker colors are better for laser etching with dark black granite being the best. Marble is softer and will likely deteriorate over time by cracking chipping and eroding especially in outdoor elements. Granite is a much harder material and lasts considerably longer than marble. However if the marble does need upkeep you can hire a restoration expert to maintain the surface.

Granite is a much harder material and lasts considerably longer than marble. Marble deteriorates from acids that are prevalent in rain. On the flip side granite markers created 100 plus years ago remain in good condition because granite can hold its own against pollution salt and other erosive outdoor conditions. Erosion to gravestones dating back to the early 1800s has left many inscriptions virtually unrecognizable.

Marble is also very soft and can be scratched with a metal object. The biggest difference between granite and marble is the hardness of the stone. Granite headstones granite is an igneous rock which is the result of cooling magma. In comparison to marble headstones custom granite memorials can last for centuries.

Granite is much harder than marble and it is not brittle. In a surprisingly short amount of time design work names and other customized elements will weather away and become difficult to discern. Commercial marble is typically available in variations of black and white. This is why the old gravestones of the midwest are barely legible because acid rain created by factory pollution has dissolved a lot of the calcite in the limestone and marble gravestones.

Granite on the other hand is an igneous rock composed of primarily quartz and feldspar and some mica. Granite unlike marble is an extremely hard rock that is more likely to endure the test of time in the cemetery. If you want intense detail that will withstand the elements then granite might be a better option. Marble used to be the most popular stone for graves but today it is granite by far.

Either way knowing the pros and cons will help you make a well informed decision. Marble is softer and will likely deteriorate over time by cracking chipping and eroding especially in outdoor elements. Marble is at risk for cracking chipping and eroding even in relatively mild climactic conditions.