Stone Selection 101: Comparing Colours, Textures, And Finishes In Granite Monuments

When you’re creating a monument for someone you love, you’re not just picking out a piece of stone, you’re telling a story that will live on. You’re choosing something solid, beautiful, and timeless to honour a life that meant the world to you.

At Summit Memorials, we understand how personal this decision is. That’s why families across Edmonton and Alberta trust us to help them create granite memorials that reflect dignity, memory, and meaning.

The colour, texture, and finish of the granite you select can say a lot about the person being remembered. Do you want something bold and striking? Or soft and classic? Are you honouring tradition or designing something truly one of a kind?

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to choose the right granite memorial, from colours and textures to finishes that help your tribute stand strong for generations.

Why Granite Remains The Gold Standard For Memorials

Granite has long been the material of choice for cemetery markers and headstones across Alberta. Why?

• Unmatched durability – Granite resists weathering, erosion, and staining. With proper care, granite memorials can remain intact for centuries.
• Versatility – Available in a variety of colours, patterns, and finishes.
• Symbolic permanence – Granite’s natural strength reflects the enduring nature of memory.

Whether you’re considering flat markers, pillow markers, or upright grave monuments, granite offers both beauty and function.

Understanding Granite Colours: Meaning, Sourcing & Visual Impact

Granite isn’t just grey. Today’s granite memorials come in a wide range of hues, from striking blacks to soft pinks and speckled blues. Here’s what to know:

Classic Colours Used In Granite Memorials

Granite Textures: What They Are & Why They Matter

Texture affects the look, feel, and even maintenance of a memorial.

Common Granite Textures In Memorial Design

• Polished – Glossy and smooth; enhances colour vibrancy. Often used on the face of upright monument headstones.
• Sawn (or steeled) – Smooth but matte; ideal for the back or sides of stones that don’t require shine.
• Rock Pitch (natural) – Rough and rustic; typically left on the edges for a traditional, earthy look.
• Sandblasted – Matte surface with a fine grain; common for flat marker inscriptions and custom engravings.

A fully polished memorial costs more due to labour intensity, but also creates a striking, high-end finish. Many families choose a combination of textures to balance aesthetics and budget.

Granite Finishes: How They Influence Style and Longevity

Finish plays a vital role in both the monument’s appearance and its ability to endure Canada’s climate.

Polished Finish

Highly reflective and elegant, this finish is ideal for darker granites. It resists water absorption, making it easier to clean and maintain over time.

Honed Finish

A matte version of the polished surface, offering a softer, more subdued aesthetic. Excellent for families seeking simplicity or less glare in direct sunlight.

Thermal Finish

This involves heat-treating the granite to create a textured, slip-resistant surface—often used on the bases of upright memorials for better grip.

Combining Colours, Textures, And Finishes For a Custom Look

Personalization is where granite shines. Here’s how families often mix and match features:

• Polished black granite face with rock-pitched edges – for a modern yet grounded upright monument.
• Stanstead Grey pillow marker with sandblasted lettering – a modest, traditional tribute.
• Blue Pearl upright monument with polished front and sawn sides – high-contrast and regal.

Work closely with a monument designer from Summit Memorial to balance visual storytelling with practical constraints (e.g. cemetery regulations, engraving visibility, future maintenance needs).

About Summit Memorials

At Summit Memorials, we have been honoured to help Alberta families commemorate their loved ones for over a century. Our dedication to preserving memories is at the heart of everything we do. Specializing in custom cemetery monuments, headstone cleaning, and monument restoration, we take pride in serving Edmonton and surrounding areas with the highest quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Our team of expert designers and skilled craftsmen work closely with each family, ensuring that their vision for a lasting memorial is fully realized. Whether you are designing a monument that reflects the unique personality of your loved one or restoring an existing headstone to its original beauty, we offer the guidance and expertise needed every step of the way.

For more information, visit our website or give us a call. We are here to create a lasting, meaningful tribute for your loved one that you can cherish for years to come.