Glossary of Memorial Terms

Axed - A wide variety of smooth and textured patterns made by pneumatic hammers and steel chisels.

Balance Rock Pitched - Rough cut surface with mitered corner lines.

Bottom as Quarried - Rough broken surface.

Bottom Jointed - Cut smooth to fit on smooth surface. 

Bottom Sawn / Balance Sawn - Smooth finish, may have saw marks.

Flat Carved - Carving with no contouring details.

Honed - A dark, smooth finish ground  with carborundum wheel orloose abrasive and water.

Lithochrome - Paint specially formulated for stone.

Metro-steeled - A light smooth, finish by sand blasting with fine childed shot.

Pitched to Top Line Only - Edges are left rough as if broken.

Polished - A dark mirror-glossy finish, made with felt buffer and tin oxide.

Polished Bevel Top - Glossy Top (at an angle to bottom)

Polished Flat Top - Glossy Top (parallel to bottom)

Rock-Pitched - A hand-cut rustic finish with edges dressed to a straight line.

Serpentined - Curved with highest point in the center, reverses at the ends.

Shape Carved - Carved with details contoured.

Shell Rock - A hand-cut rustic surface with strong, scalloped or dish shaped appearance.

Standard - Widely known industry standard.

Steeled - A light, smooth finish, from grinding with iron wheel and chilled shot.

Straight - Straight.

Thermal - A rough, random-texture finish created by spalling with high-temperature gas flames.