Why High-Quality Granite Is the Top Choice for Monuments
Why High-Quality Granite Is the Top Choice for Monuments
As a stone fabricator with 15 years of experience, I’ve always believed the core of monument stone selection lies in “enduring quality”—it must not only carry commemorative meaning but also resist natural erosion. High-quality granite is the only stone that meets both requirements, and its processing characteristics are also better suited for monument creation.
1. Core Advantages of High-Quality Granite: Performance & Processing
High-quality granite (e.g., Sesame Black, China Black) not only boasts excellent physical properties but also offers processing adaptability that perfectly aligns with monument production needs:
- Superior Hardness & Wear Resistance: It has a Mohs hardness of 6-7 and a compressive strength of 120-250 MPa, ensuring no scratches or damage on its surface even after long-term outdoor placement.
- Ultra-Low Water Absorption & Weather Resistance: With a water absorption rate of < 0.5% and SiO₂ content exceeding 65%, it resists UV rays, acid rain, and freeze-thaw cycles. It won’t crack or fade for decades.
- Stable Processability: Its dense, uniform structure has no grain gaps, making it suitable for fine carving of characters and patterns. It also prevents edge chipping or cracking during processing, resulting in more intact finished products.
2. Key Differences Between Granite and Marble: Performance to Processing
Many people confuse granite and marble, but their differences—from performance to processing—are significant. For high-demand outdoor applications like monuments, these differences directly determine service life and finished product quality:
| Metric | High-Quality Granite | Standard Marble |
|---|---|---|
| Main Composition | Quartz, feldspar (SiO₂-based) | Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃-based) |
| Mohs Hardness | 6-7 | 3-5 |
| Compressive Strength | 120-250 MPa | 70-150 MPa |
| Water Absorption Rate | < 0.5% | > 0.8% |
| Weather Resistance | Acid rain & freeze-thaw resistant | Prone to acid rain erosion; cracks in winter |
| Processing Tool Requirement | Diamond saw blades/tools (high hardness needed) | Standard carbide tools (low hardness needed) |
| Per Unit Processing Time | ~2-3 ㎡/hour (cutting + polishing) | ~4-5 ㎡/hour (cutting + polishing) |
| Yield Rate | ≥95% (stable structure, low waste) | ≤85% (high brittleness, prone to chipping) |
| Relative Processing Cost | Higher (high tool wear) | Lower (low tool wear) |
| Suitable Applications | Long-term outdoor use (monuments, headstones) | Indoor decoration (walls, floors) |
From a fabrication perspective, while marble processes faster and costs less, its high brittleness often causes edge damage or incomplete patterns when carving fine characters or making large-scale monuments—resulting in a much lower yield rate than granite. Although granite requires specialized tools, its stable processability ensures clear inscriptions and intact shapes for monuments. Moreover, after 3-5 years of outdoor use, the appearance gap widens dramatically: marble fades and weathers, while granite remains nearly unchanged.
