Memorial Manufacturing and Processing

Blocks are delivered to finishing plants, usually via tractor trailer, where large diamond saws (watch video of a diamond saw), some with blades up to 14 feet in diameter, cut through the rough block of granite.

Once the blocks are sawed into slabs, smaller saws may be used to further define their size and shape. Often slabs measuring eight to ten feet in length and six to eight inches in thickness are fed into "guillotines" that effortlessly breaks the granite slabs into sizes needed for monuments and markers.

Pictured left is an automatic polisher applying a mirror-like finish to the granite.

Pictured right is a large, diamond-tipped saw cutting through a granite block.

Computerized diamond wire saws offer flexibility in shaping the granite and are sometimes used to cut the slabs into unusual shapes.

Large polishing mills use a variety of grinding and buffing pads and abrasives that are applied systematically to create a mirror-like finish.

Sandblasters and other stone crafters use hammers, razor-sharp carbide tipped chisels, pneumatic tools, and sandblasting equipment to further carve, shape and define each individual monument.

For more information on granite manufacturing and memorialization, please contact the Elberton Granite Association for a copy of the free publication "Personal Monuments: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Evermore". When contacting the E.G.A. be sure to include your name, company name (if applicable), mailing address, city, state and ZIP code.