VJ Memorials

When exploring your many options for granite memorials you may feel overwhelmed by some of the terminology used in the monument industry.  Many of our beautiful monument designs are crafted using special hand tooling techniques.  Being familiar with “industry” terms may help lessen any uncertainty you may feel.

VJ Memorials knowledgeable staff is available to help you select a timeless and meaningful memory.  We are here to help show you how a little extra effort can add a distinctive result that will endure the test of time and create a unique memorial for you and your family to cherish.  Our showroom located in Chino, California has samples of each of the different techniques used in our designs.

Below is a glossary of terms you may read or hear about during your selection process. 

Tri Tone - Different degrees of sandblasting create a middle gray tone that adds realism to detailed carvings on dark granite.  A tri tone design works best on dark granite without any grains are texture, like black granite.

Shape Carving - Sculptural sandblasting that creates a three dimensional appearance in which the design projects slightly from a flat background.  Shape carving is often used on carved flowers and leaves.

Sun Burst – An old world technique that adds a sculptural depth to a memorial.  A craftsman uses a chisel to create symbolic rays carved into the stone.   

Textures – Carved backgrounds add subtle details to an intricately carved memorial.  Often used to add more definition to objects like a cross or window.

Stippled designs – Craftsman fracture the surface of certain parts of the granite to create a lighter contrast that will not fade over time.

Sandblast – A skilled professional uses a high pressured sandblasting machine to blast sand into granite for inscribing text and designs.

Sunk design/lettering – A design and inscription is slightly sandblasted below the polished surface of a granite memorial.

Deep Sunk design/lettering – A design and inscription is deeply sandblasted below the polished surface of a granite memorial.

Raised and Polished – The background of a granite memorial is sandblasted just below the surface leaving the design and lettering granite.  

Deep Sunk Sanded Panel – The process of sandblasting a portion of the polished surface of a granite memorial.

Photo Etching – An experienced specialist uses a special process that transfers a personalized photograph onto the polished surface of a granite stone using a laser.  This process is only done on black granite in order to provide a realistic appearance.

Ceramic Photo tiles – Ceramic photo tiles are created by going through a special firing process.  An image of your photograph is transferred onto a chemically processed cell and placed on the ceramic cameo.  The ceramic tile is fired at temperatures up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit creating a finished product with an image as sharp and vibrant as the original photograph.  Photo tiles are available in color, black and white, and sepia.

Last updated on May 19, 2020 by Employee