Other Stones

Headstones made from a variety of other stones

Available across the UK

Artisan Memorials stands as the foremost provider of meticulously crafted, custom headstones and gravestones throughout the United Kingdom. With extensive years of experience, we are adept in working with a variety of materials. Where possible, we prioritise the use of locally sourced stone, ensuring it harmonises with the natural environment and historical customs of churchyards and burial grounds across the nation.

No matter what type of stone you choose, you can be sure that it will stand the test of time.

Celtic Limestone or Irish Blue Limestone

Quarried in Kilkenny, Southern Ireland, Celtic or Irish blue limestone is renowned as being a hard wearing, durable material that is perfect for memorials and headstones. This beautiful stone has a blue-grey hue with occasional white speckles. It shares many of the same qualities as nabresina, being very hard and dense whilst allowing for deeply carved lettering and inscriptions. Often it is considered a meaningful way to celebrate the lives of those with Irish ancestry and is a less expensive option than Welsh slate for those looking for a mid-toned greyish blue coloured memorial.

Celtic limestone memorials leave the workshop darker in colour, but over time tend to become a lighter shade. Celtic limestone is renowned for its durability and timeless beauty and will ensure a lasting tribute for your loved one.

Purbeck Thornback

Purbeck Thornback stone is a beautifully patterned, beige stone quarried in Swanage on the Jurassic Coast. Thanks to its rustic appearance, it fits in perfectly to older churchyards and, given its scarcity, Purbeck stone is the perfect choice for those wanting something a little more unique. A Purbeck Thornback headstone features a rugged, textured back and sides which contrast nicely with a smooth front that allows for intricate, beautiful carving.

Purbeck Pond Freestone

Purbeck Pond Freestone is a beige/grey stone often incorporating interesting flint markings and bluish flecks. It is a relatively hard and non-absorbent material from the Jurassic Coast in Dorset and is often chosen by those wanting a locally sourced and slightly warmer coloured alternative to Portland Limestone. Unlike Purbeck Thornback it is more uniform in colouring and is available with a honed surface on all sides.

St. Bees Red Sandstone

St. Bees Red Sandstone is a finely grained and consistently textured stone from St Bees on the Cumbrian Coast. Its fine grain makes it suitable for detailed carving and a lovely option for those wanting a very natural and organic looking memorial.

It is generally reddish-brown in colour, turning redder when wet, with variations of darker and lighter tones running throughout that give it an almost wood-like pattern.

Vermont Green Slate

Sourced from the state of Vermont in the New England region of the Northeastern United States, Vermont slate is an un-fading slate of unquestionable quality. Produced from slate beds laid down in the same Cambrian era as the Welsh Penrhyn slate, Vermont slate has a mottled pale green/grey colouring interspersed with darker speckles. As with all slate it is incredibly hard, totally weather resistant and allows our skilled stone masons to create beautiful deeply V-carved inscriptions.

Broughton Moor Slate

Broughton Moor slate is another green coloured stone, this time from Coniston, Broughton-in-Furness in Cumbria. Its green/grey tones are highlighted by beautiful natural markings including contrasting white veins and variations in tone which reflect its volcanic origins.

Broughton Moor slate is a very hard and weather resistant material, which like all slate makes beautiful headstones and memorials that resist the challenges of the changing British climate.