Commemorate the memory of your loved one with a thoughtfully created sandstone, granite or marble headstone by G.C.Smith & Co, complete with your chosen inscription. Established in 1894, G.C.Smith & Co is a family run business that has been supplying Perth and surrounding areas with headstones, monuments and mausoleum panels for over 125 years.
Our headstone company only offers the highest quality materials, using only those that can withstand the demands of the outdoor environment – stone. The three most common stone types used to craft headstones are marble, granite and sandstone. What are the differences between the three stone types?
Marble is a natural stone that forms when limestone is exposed to the heat and pressure of metamorphism. Marble is primarily composed of calcite, but can contain other materials including clay, quartz, pyrite, iron oxides and graphite. When metamorphism occurs, the calcite recrystallizes to form a rock that is composed of interlocking calcite crystals. When formed from a limestone with few impurities, the marble will be white in colour.
Granite is a coarse, intrusive igneous rock that is used across various applications due to its sturdiness. Commercially, granite is defined as having visible grains that are harder than marble – for this reason, stones such as gabbro, basalt, pegmatite and other varieties will be classed as granite. Granite is primarily composed of quartz and feldspar, with trace amounts of minerals, including mica and amphibole minerals. The mineral composition determines the colour of the granite, which can range from red to grey and white.
Sandstone is a common type of sedimentary rock that is composed of sand sized grains of mineral, rock or other organic material that is binded together by a cementing material. Quartz and feldspar are some of the minerals that sandstone can be composed of. Mineral proportion depends on where the sandstone was sourced and its rate of deposition. The two main types of sandstone are Arenite and Wacke.
View below for our headstone samples below. There are a variety of finishes and colours available across our granite, sandstone and marble headstone offerings, as well as endless design possibilities. G.C.Smith & Co also offers a range of accessories, including floral clusters, vases, statues and other ornaments.
Because stone is a natural product, colours will vary from the images displayed online. To view our range of Perth headstones, visit our O’Connor showroom and talk to our friendly staff about the headstone you wish to create for your loved one.
