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. |
The finishing facility (granite shed)…
The quarried blocks are loaded on a truck and transported to the finishing facility; the facility may be close in proximity or may need to be shipped over seas. Once the granite block is delivered to the granite shed it is then sawed into slabs with very large diamond saws. The granite slabs are then placed under large rotating machines that use a series of diamond pads to polish the surface of the granite giving the piece a mirrored natural shine.
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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