How a Monument is Made ...
 The
Quarry...Granite is one of the hardest stones known to man and is naturally formed deep below the surface of the earth. Granite can be found in almost any area of the world. There are many uses for granite such as: counter tops, pillars, monuments, building materials, flooring, and many other uses. Not all granite found in the world is monument grade. Granite is widely found in the United States in Georgia, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont, and many other states. Some of the granites used in the U.S. are imported from China, India and other countries.  The process... The process of extracting the granite from the ground begins with making a channel around the block to be quarried with a torch or water jet. Excavators then drill a line of holes along the bottom edge which is then packed with a primer cord or blasting material. The granite is blasted so it can be loosened and then “lifted” from the vein of granite. The extracted granite block has an average size of 30 feet in width and height and a depth of 10 feet. The workers will drill another series of holes in the block to further reduce its size using wedges and shims to break off more manageable pieces. The blocks are then lifted out of the pit or loaded on a fork truck and then removed depending on the quarries design and set up. |
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 Polishing
... Once the polishing phase is complete several options are available depending on the specifications placed on the order submitted by companies like "Hollisters Monument Co.". The finished product may consist of a rock pitched (a rough natural finish), polished, sawed edge (smooth satin) finish, or a combination of any of the above. Other processes that are done at the granite shed include the drilling of vase or cremation holes, which is done with a coring machine. There are special diamond contour wire saws and many other specialty tools as well. |
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  Our
monument company...The finished product is ordered from granite sheds according to our customers specifications. The monument will be crated and shipped to Hollisters Monument Co. for final preparation. A rubber stencil will be created and cut from a computer plotter with the appropriate design and lettering previously approved by the customer. The rubber stencil is placed on the monument so the sandblasting process can be preformed. Hollisters use a double process which gives the product a sharper, crisper finish.  Hollisters
Monument Co. also sandblasts the lettering and design to the
proper depth to obtain the best contrast for viewing. A
litho-chrome shadow is usually used in the design and
lettering to enhance the view. The monument is then stripped
of the rubber stencil and prepared for delivery to the
cemetery. |
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 Installation...If you choose Hollisters Monument Co. as the installer of the monument, (some cemeteries do their own installation or the customer will pick up and set it themselves) the monument will be loaded along with the other components on the installation truck for transport to the location. To complete the process the foundation is dug and the monument is placed and secured to the foundation. |
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The
finishing facility (granite shed)...Phone: 918-341-1566 Fax: 918-343-1399
