Marble Vs Granite Gravestones

Either way knowing the pros and cons will help you make a well informed decision.

Marble vs granite gravestones.

The biggest difference between granite and marble is the hardness of the stone. Granite is much harder than marble and it is not brittle. Marble deteriorates from acids that are prevalent in rain. The darker colors are better for laser etching with dark black granite being the best.

Granite is the future. Marble is softer and will likely deteriorate over time by cracking chipping and eroding especially in outdoor elements. Marble is softer and will likely deteriorate over time by cracking chipping and eroding especially in outdoor elements. 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 is a much harder material and lasts considerably longer than marble. The marble is slowly wearing away. Marble is also very soft and can be scratched with a metal object. Erosion to gravestones dating back to the early 1800s has left many inscriptions virtually unrecognizable.

Marble used to be the most popular stone for graves but today it is granite by far. In a surprisingly short amount of time design work names and other customized elements will weather away and become difficult to discern. 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. If you re seeking a standout structure without detailed carving then marble might be ideal.

Granite on the other hand is an igneous rock composed of primarily quartz and feldspar and some mica. Granite headstones granite is an igneous rock which is the result of cooling magma. If you want intense detail that will withstand the elements then granite might be a better option. The biggest difference between granite and marble is the hardness of the stone.

However if the marble does need upkeep you can hire a restoration expert to maintain the surface. Unfortunately this is the case with many historic headstones made of marble. Granite is metamorphic or igneous made up of silica mica feldspar and quartz generally with a packed granular surface. Marble is at risk for cracking chipping and eroding even in relatively mild climactic conditions.

In comparison to marble headstones custom granite memorials can last for centuries. There are a few reasons for this. Granite is a much harder material and lasts considerably longer than marble.