Sandblast Carving
Beautiful designs and names can be etched on the granite by sandblasting. A flat sheet of rubber is first placed on top of the granite, and the design is then cut out of the rubber. Fine particles of abrasive are then blown by air pressure against the monument. The abrasive cuts away the granite not protected by the rubber. The rubber is removed leaving a beautiful design etched in the monument. This is called "sandblast carving."

Sandblast Etching
There is a difference between sandblasted designs and those that are etched. Carving beautiful floral designs and lettering with sandblasting techniques is an age old art. O’Rourke Bros. memorials has the ability and talent to do all of our sandblasted carvings in house in our own workshop. Beautiful floral designs, religious or secular symbolism, and lettering come alive under our expert hand done craftsmanship. You can almost luck the flower off the stone.

Etchings are relatively new to the memorial industry and are fast becoming a very popular and desirable technique to express very personal ideas in a new and exciting way. Etchings must be done on black, deep red, or dark brown granites. Because the detail is so fine etchings need a dark background in order to be seen. All of our etchings are done in house by a very talented artist. Preliminary drawings are done for the family to approve or modify and then the artist starts the etching process on the memorial. Fine diamond tipped dremel type tools are used to stun the granite white and produce the desired image. Once the granite is stunned white it is a permanent process that will not fade with time. Some etchings are so detailed that only a laser etching process will work. Laser etching have come a long way and is recommended to do complicated etchings. Our hand done portraits of the deceased are astoundingly realistic and are a permanent way to remember your loved one. Lighthouse scenes, religious figures, the family’s camp, cars, or other memorabilia come to life with the etching process.