Diamond tools and grave accessories? Do they even go together? The DiaSegment s.r.o. company originally collaborated primarily with stonemasons, which is why we included grave accessories as a supplementary product line. Although it might seem unrelated to diamond tools, a large portion of these accessories is processed using the very tools from our range.
We collaborate with several manufacturers, and I would particularly like to highlight our stable, long-term cooperation with a traditional Czech manufacturer of tombstone accessories, the Metal Granit company from Letovice.
What is the current range of grave accessories?
There is a truly wide range of elegant grave accessories on the market. The main difference lies in the material from which the accessory is made. The price, for example, is derived from this. The basic types of accessories are:
- stainless steel grave accessories, which are the most affordable variant and, at the same time, a proven and low-maintenance classic.
- resin grave accessories offer an optimal balance of price, elegant design, and quality, while also providing very beautiful color finishes.
- stone grave accessories, which are the most financially demanding but also the most valuable, as they involve manual labor and high-quality natural material.
- combined grave accessories, essentially just lanterns, which mostly consist of a stone base and top with a metal or cast body. These are combined with vases in classic, maxi, or angular shapes. These accessories fall into the medium price range, along with resin accessories.
Bestseller of recent years - granite lamps, vases, and bowls with a square base.
Which design is suitable for your project and how to decide?
Architects often claim that it is not advisable to combine more than three colors. These include, for example, the color of the monument, the color of the grave, and the color of the lettering. The color of the grave accessory should correspond with one of these factors. For example: black to match the monument, brown to match the cover slabs and cladding, or gold to match the lettering? The choice is yours, and there are plenty of options.
However, you should choose a grave accessory not only by color but also by shape.
- In case you have chosen a monument and grave with straight lines without curves, we recommend the increasingly popular angular accessories. They are extremely attractive thanks to large polished edges, which add a touch of luxury to the overall impression. Because as they say, there is beauty in simplicity!
- Sales trends still confirm the most popular classic. These are accessories with a round base that almost every stonemason will offer you.
Golden resin accessories with a round base
What size of grave accessory is suitable for your project?
In most cases, your stonemason will recommend the size of the accessory that is most commonly used in your area. This is usually the established standard. Although it is a matter of taste, from an aesthetic point of view, it is advisable to maintain the principle: "smaller grave - smaller accessories, non-standard project - non-standard accessories."
- Maxi models are characterized by a larger, corpulent shape and a slightly taller vase.
- Standard dimensions for common single and double graves have a lantern size of around 27 cm.
- Smaller accessories are applied to small or urn graves, and you can find them in our offer under the name MIDI.
- The smallest accessories, up to 12 centimeters in size, are applied mainly to columbariums.
Do you like non-standard shapes?
Do you have your own taste or would you like to have something different from what you see in every cemetery? In many cases, the choice of grave accessories is limited by the stonemason themselves, who consciously displays and offers only standard shapes. This is to ensure the customer-investor doesn't have a decision-making process that is too complicated. As the saying goes: "the more options, the harder the choice and the more confused the customer." Therefore, if you are not sure about your stonemason's offer, view the range of grave accessories we offer from the comfort of your home and ask your stonemason to contact us. In some cases, it is necessary to account for a certain time interval, as some accessories are made to order, which can take several weeks.
A product that stonemasons aren't interested in, but which has found its clientele in the online space
More demanding clients often work with an architect, artistic sculptor, glassmaker, or blacksmith. In such cases, the stonemason creates accessories "to order" according to the investor's ideas. If they do not have a workshop equipped with complex machines for the production of stone accessories, they contact stonemasonry companies that focus on these special projects. Therefore, if you did not choose from our offer, there is still the possibility of creating an individual offer tailored exactly to you.
Grave accessories are not just lamps and vases. People often enrich this place of quiet remembrance with other accessories, such as a decorative flower bowl, a tray to protect against candle wax, or a practical folding bench - a small but significant detail. Just to sit down and reminisce for a moment.
Modern grave accessories also include decorative plaques or solitaires. These are used as additional inscription plates with details, names, and dates that did not fit on the main inscription slab. Others are meant to commemorate a passion for sports or another event that accompanied someone through life.
What to look out for when choosing grave accessories?
Whether it's sheet metal, stainless steel, resin, or stone accessories, each type has its risk factors, which we will briefly mention.
- In the case of the cheapest group of accessories, some manufacturers have focused too much on the price and used ordinary sheet metal instead of stainless steel, applying a finish similar to chrome. However, such a product could not withstand harsh weather conditions and succumbed to corrosion very quickly, shortly after the warranty expired. In such a case, there was no choice but to replace the product with a more honest one from a better manufacturer. And what should a quality stainless steel accessory look like? First of all, it should have processed edges so there is no risk of cutting oneself. This also means using thicker material. Besides the edges, this is also visible in the overall strength of the lantern or vase. Too thin material does not hold its shape well and so-called "twists in the hands."
- A very similar situation to that of stainless steel accessories occurred with resin models. We encountered this information when we were launching very nice resin accessories on the market. Experienced clients reacted with distrust, saying that the color had faded in the past. We consulted this problem with the manufacturer and found that it was a competitor's product where cheaper materials were used again. It is no secret that quality products cannot be manufactured cheaply. Every quality product has a demanding production process behind it. In our case and in the case of resin accessories, we learned that the surface treatment is high-quality automotive paint with UV protection, applied in professional spray booths. Just like cars. And on them, the color stays and doesn't change shade in the sun. We have been offering these products since 2019, and I dare say without a single complaint.
- With stone accessories, it is necessary to focus on classic stonemasonry weaknesses. These accessories are produced by stonemasons specifically focused on grave accessories. The most common weaknesses are fine cracks or insufficiently processed material - unpolished parts. Since the stone processing takes place under water, it sometimes happens that such a detail only shows up after complete drying once the product leaves production. Therefore, it rarely happens that a product with a minor defect makes it all the way to the stonemason's shop where this deficiency would be resolved. Thus, it is probably not necessary for the client-investor to pay excessive attention to the processing of stone accessories.
How to protect yourself from low-quality products?
If you are communicating with a stonemason, ask for his recommendations. There are very nice, elegant products on our market that do not have color stability and after a few years, too soon after the warranty period expires, the surface treatment disappears and simultaneously leaves marks on the stone surface. Whether it's decorative lettering or interesting lamps and vases.
Even in this situation, I will remind you that it is not realistic to buy a quality product for an inadequate price. And in the stonemasonry business, the word "savings" means an unpleasant risk.
Conclusion
By choosing the right grave accessories, you can create an elegant and dignified place for quiet remembrance. You have the opportunity to elevate this place to a higher level. Choose with your heart.
As an aid in selection and for a better idea of the final result, we have established a YouTube channel with videos of grave accessories.
Pavol Šáray
CEO & Technical Expert, DiaSegment
I spend most of my time in the field with customers, where we look for the best solutions for their specific tasks directly at construction sites or in stonemasonry workshops. These field trips are my greatest inspiration – I subsequently process insights from practice into technical articles to help you navigate the subject matter. Since I am often in full work mode, you might not reach me immediately, but I will be happy to dedicate my full attention to your questions.
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