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Materials
A memorial is a lasting tribute to the memory of your loved one. It is fitting, therefore, that it should be made of quality enduring natural materials.
The most common types of stone used to make memorials are sandstone, slate, marble and granite. They each have their own unique qualities.
Please Click on any of the Pictures to Enlarge Them
| Sandstone |
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Sandstone is a relatively soft stone. Memorials made from it usually have a fine-rubbed, smooth surface and come in many distinctive hues of grey, brown and pink. In the North West, Yorkstone is the most commonly used sandstone and is light brown in colour. All sandstones really absorb water and this property means that lichens quickly cover the surface of the stone, giving it a natural 'weathered' appearance. This feature is particularly attractive to Church authorities who often like memorials to blend in the character of the older memorials in the churchyard and indeed the Church buildings. |
| Slate |
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Slate is another which is traditional in Churchyards. However, it is a much denser material than sandstone and therefore, does not 'weather' as quickly. Slate is usually charcoal grey or dark green in colour. Memorials often have a semi-polished finish when new, but this quickly weathered to give a matt finish once in the Churchyard. Edges may be pitched to give a natural riven effect. As slate is a rather brittle material, some slate can be prone to splitting along the direction of it's bedding. |
| Marble |
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Marble when used for memorials is usually white in colour and had a fine-rubbed matt finish. It has been extensively used for memorials since the time of the Greeks because of its suitability for carving. However, marble has one major disadvantage, it suffered form the ravages of modern society's polluted atmosphere. 'Acid' rain attacks marble, dissolving it and causing it to run 'sugary'. Once this process has started, dirt becomes ingrained in the stone and no amount of washing will remove it. To restore them, marble memorials must be professionally cleaned by stripping away the eroded surface layer to expose good marble below it. The process will then, however, repeat itself. As a result, this has lead to a rise in the popularity of granite for memorials. However, we at J Rawson & Sons are experts in this form of renovation. |
| Granite |
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Granite is the hardest natural stone available and is virtually unaffected by wonderful British weather. It is also available in an extremely wide variety of colours, although colours other than black or dark grey may only be available from specialist memorial masons such as ourselves. Granite is usually polished to give an almost mirror-like appearance, although honed or matt finished are available. Like slate, the edges of granite memorials are sometimes pitched to give a more natural looking appearance. However, granite memorials which are polished all over are generally easier to maintain in pristine condition. |
These are just a few representative samples from our extensive range. Please call in to see the samples of all our fine quality materials and to discuss your requirements, with no obligation, or you can telephone us on 0161-764-4391
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