Harbour Memorials

Materials Guide

The material you choose will define the character of the memorial for generations. This guide covers every stone we work with — from the most popular granites to rare marbles and traditional British stones.

Durability

Granite is the most durable memorial material available — it will not fade, stain, or deteriorate for hundreds of years. Marble is beautiful but softer, and requires more care in exposed positions.

Colour Stability

Polished granite retains its colour and finish indefinitely with minimal maintenance. Marble and limestone will weather and patinate over time — some families prefer this natural ageing process.

Cemetery Regulations

Most cemeteries permit granite and marble. Some heritage sites have restrictions on certain materials. We will always confirm what is permitted at your chosen cemetery before any design work begins.

Granite

Granite is an igneous rock formed deep within the earth under immense heat and pressure. It is the hardest and most durable of all memorial stones — resistant to weathering, staining, and frost. A polished granite memorial will retain its colour and finish for centuries with minimal maintenance. We stock over a dozen granite colours and can source additional varieties on request.

Absolute Black

India

A deep, uniform jet black with virtually no visible crystal structure. Takes an exceptionally high mirror polish. The most popular granite for memorials in the UK.

Jet Black

India / China

Similar to Absolute Black but with a slightly warmer undertone. Excellent for gold and silver lettering. A reliable, widely available choice.

Blue Pearl

Norway

A distinctive Norwegian granite with iridescent blue-grey labradorite crystals that shimmer in the light. Unique and striking — no two stones are identical.

Balmoral Red

Scotland

A rich red-brown Scottish granite with natural feldspar crystals in warm amber and cream tones. A traditional choice with a distinctly British character.

Paradiso

India

A warm purple-brown granite with swirling patterns of pink, grey, and cream. Highly decorative and distinctive — a popular choice for women’s memorials.

Imperial Red

India

A deep, rich red granite with a consistent colour and fine crystal structure. Bold and striking — particularly effective with gold lettering.

Rosa Porrino

Spain

A warm pink-grey Spanish granite with a consistent, even colour. Popular for women’s memorials and children’s graves. Soft and gentle in appearance.

Himalayan Blue

India

A blue-grey granite with a fine, even crystal structure. Cooler in tone than Blue Pearl, with a more subtle iridescence. A contemporary and elegant choice.

Silver Grey

India / China

A light to mid-grey granite with a clean, neutral appearance. Versatile and understated — suits both traditional and contemporary inscription styles.

Emerald Pearl

Norway

A dark green-black Norwegian granite with iridescent green and gold labradorite crystals. Dramatic and distinctive — a bold alternative to black granite.

Multicolour Red

India

A vibrant Indian granite with swirling patterns of red, pink, grey, and black. Highly decorative — each stone has a unique pattern.

Vizag Blue

India

A deep blue-grey granite with a fine, even texture and subtle iridescence. A popular alternative to Blue Pearl at a more accessible price point.

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when limestone is subjected to extreme heat and pressure. It has been used for sculpture and memorials since antiquity — its luminous quality and natural veining are unmatched by any other stone. Marble is softer than granite and will weather and patinate over time in exposed positions, which many families find adds to its beauty and character.

Carrara White

Italy

The most celebrated marble in the world — pure white with delicate grey veining. Quarried in Tuscany for over 2,000 years. The traditional material for figurative sculpture and classical memorials.

Statuario

Italy

A premium white Italian marble with bold, dramatic grey veining. More striking than Carrara — a prestigious choice for prominent memorials.

Nero Marquina

Spain

A deep black Spanish marble with fine white veining. Elegant and sophisticated — a striking alternative to black granite with a warmer, more organic character.

Crema Marfil

Spain

A warm cream-beige Spanish marble with subtle veining in gold and brown tones. Soft and warm in appearance — a popular choice for traditional memorials.

Portoro Gold

Italy

A dramatic black Italian marble with bold gold and white veining. One of the most striking marbles available — a prestigious choice for prominent memorials.

Grey Bardiglio

Italy

A mid-grey Italian marble with subtle darker grey veining. Understated and elegant — a refined alternative to grey granite.

Every memorial is unique — these examples are for inspiration only. We will design yours entirely to your specification.

Other Natural Stones

Beyond granite and marble, we work with a range of traditional British and European stones — each with its own character and history.

Welsh Slate

A fine-grained, dark blue-grey stone quarried in North Wales. Takes an exceptionally sharp inscription — hand-cut lettering in slate has a quality unmatched by any other material. Particularly suited to traditional and literary inscriptions.

Portland Limestone

A pale cream-white oolitic limestone from Dorset — the stone of St Paul's Cathedral and countless historic buildings. Weathers beautifully and suits traditional churchyard settings.

Yorkstone Sandstone

A warm buff-brown sandstone from Yorkshire. A traditional material for North of England memorials — sympathetic to Victorian and Edwardian cemetery settings.

Reconstituted Stone

A cast stone made from crushed natural stone and cement. Available in a range of colours and finishes. More affordable than natural stone and widely permitted in cemetery sections where natural stone is required.

Surface Finishes

The finish applied to a stone changes its appearance and character significantly. Most memorials combine a polished face with a honed or flamed back and sides.

Polished

A mirror-like surface that reflects light and shows the full depth of colour in the stone. The most popular finish for granite memorials. Lettering and artwork show with maximum clarity.

Honed

A smooth, matt surface with no reflective sheen. Softer in appearance than polished — popular for contemporary designs and lighter-coloured stones.

Flamed

A textured surface created by exposing the stone to intense heat. Provides a non-slip, rustic appearance — often used for the sides and back of a memorial while the face is polished.

Sandblasted

A fine, even texture created by blasting the surface with sand under pressure. Used for both surface finishing and lettering — sandblasted lettering has a distinctive recessed appearance.

Pitched

A rough, natural-looking edge created by splitting the stone along its natural grain. Often used for the edges of headstones to create a contrast with a polished face.

Not Sure Which Material to Choose?

We are happy to show you samples of any material in our range. Contact us to arrange a consultation and we will help you find the right stone for your memorial.