Different Types of Granite for Monuments

Headstones, gravestones, memorial stones or monuments are an important piece of memorializing and remembering a loved one. These creations give us a way to honor our loved ones with a tangible monument. Needless to say, when creating a monument for a loved one it’s important to choose a material that will not only provide the look that you want, but will also be durable enough to last for generations to come.


Due to its strength, granite is one of the most popular types of stone selected for monuments. Granite is one of, if not the, hardest stone available, meaning it won’t crumble or deteriorate due to the natural elements a headstone is exposed to and has extremely long-lasting durability and longevity. Granite is made up of various materials, including quartz, plagioclase and feldspar. This amalgamation of materials not only adds to the stone’s strength, but they also contribute to the range of colors and patterns that granite can be found in. Choosing granite as the base of your monument opens you up to a variety of patterns and colors, since no two slabs of granite are the same.

American Black
This variety of granite is one of the most popular choices for monuments in America and is quarried in Pennsylvania. American Black offers a deep black color with white accents and veining throughout. Since granite is a natural stone, even with solid black varieties there will still be some veining and color variations present. American Black granite makes a great choice for monuments because any inscriptions will really stand out since they will be white in color.

Black Galaxy
Also sometimes referred to as Star Galaxy, this type of granite comes from Southern India. Black Galaxy granite comes in a deep black color, but thanks to the presence of Enstatine, it has bronze flecks scattered throughout it. This is an eye-catching type of granite since the bronze flecks produce a shimmering effect when the sun hits the monument. When choosing the look you want, it’s important to know that this variation of granite comes in three different styles. This type of granite can be found with either fine, medium or large grains of bronze flecks, giving you the ability to choose the level of sparkle you want in your monument. For example, if you wanted a bolder sparkle in your monument, you could go with the large grain variation of Black Galaxy. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle sparkle, then it’d be best to go with the fine grain variety.

Cosmos Black
This is a unique type of granite that is black in color with silver flecks scattered throughout, giving it a sparkle effect. Also sometimes referred to as Nero Stargate, the tightly-packed flecks that can be seen throughout this granite are silver in color but offer a softer type of sparkle. Cosmos Black granite is quarried in Zimbabwe. A monument using this type of granite can be good for someone wanting a dark monument, but not wanting the look of solid black.

Absolute Black
If you’re aiming for a monument that is as close to solid black as you can get, then Absolute Black in a fine grain will give you the look you are after. This variety of granite is sometimes referred to as Nero Assoluto and comes from both Zimbabwe and India. Absolute Black granite can be on the pricier side since it gives the truest and most uniformed black background you can find in granite. Although Absolute Black offers the truest and most solid black, the other black varieties of granite will still give your monument the look of solid black as long as they’re not placed directly next to this granite variety.

Barre Gray
Another popular choice for monuments is Barre Gray. This can be easily found throughout the country and offers a medium to light gray color with a fine grain and texture. Quarried in Barre, Vermont, this is a great variety of granite to use in a monument because it has a high level of weather resistance.

Aurora
Aurora granite is a popular choice for monuments because of the multiple hues found within it, giving it a complex and unique look. Aurora granite is a fine-grained variety that is quarried in Finland. This type of granite contains blacks, reds and browns and is a good choice if you’re looking for a monument outside of the common shades of gray and black.

Carolina Pink
If you’re looking for a granite closer to home then Carolina Pink granite offers an eye-catching, pinkish hue with flecks of browns, whites and grays throughout. This variety of granite is quarried in Salisbury, North Carolina and is a popular choice for a variety of projects, including monuments. This variety of granite can be a great option if you’re looking for a lighter color, but want something that will still be striking and stand out.

Gray Cloud
Another type of granite that is quarried close to home is Gray Cloud granite, which comes from Lithonia, Georgia. This variation of granite is unlike more solid gray varieties of granite since it contains a lot of flecks of blacks, whites and silvers. This variety of granite is very durable and is a good color choice if you’re looking for something neutral but more complex than a solid variety.

Hartwick White
Also sometimes called Bethel White, this variety of granite is quarried in Vermont. This is a type of white granite that contains flecks of grays and browns. The light color makes it a popular choice for more ornamental monuments and helps it stand out. While not completely white, this variety is much lighter in color than other types of popular granite.

At Gaulden Monuments we can help you decide which variety of granite is right for you and the monument you want to create. Understanding the wide range of granite variations that are available today can help you craft a monument that’s truly unique and beautiful, without compromising on quality, durability and longevity.