Reference
Finishes, lettering and proof codes
Every term and abbreviation that appears on a Gemstone proof, in one place: how letters are cut, how the stone is finished, the decorative options, and which pairings work on light and dark granite.
Lettering styles
How letters are cut
The style is set by how the letter is cut, not by the font; most fonts can be cut in most styles. 'Dusted', 'frosted' and 'steeled' all mean the same light matte finish. Styles 1 to 6 are the ones in our Product Brochure; the rest are others you may see on a proof.
1 · Sunk letter in a dusted panel
The panel is dusted to a matte finish and the letters are blasted into it, so they read by depth and shadow.
2 · Polished edge outline in a dusted panel
Letters blasted into a dusted panel, with a thin polished outline left around each letter for crisp definition.
3 · Polished letter in a dusted panel
The letters stay polished and the panel around them is dusted, so they stand out glossy against the matte panel.
4 · Sunk letter in polish
Letters blasted straight into the polished face, with no panel.
5 · Skin-cut letter in polish
A shallow cut that removes only the polished skin, leaving a light letter on the polished face.
6 · Dusted letter in polish
The letter surface is dusted to a matte finish so it reads light against the polished face.
V-sunk
Cut in a V profile, leaving a smooth light finish inside the letter; usually on a polished face.
U-sunk
Cut in a shallower, rounded U profile; reads light, so it is used mainly on dark granite.
Double outline
Letters blasted deep, with the edge or outline left polished.
Square raised
Flat-topped block letters left standing above the face or within a panel.
Round raised
Letters left standing above the face in a half-round profile.
Frost inlaid
Letters frosted, with the outline blasted deep; also called frosted bar.
Polished inlaid
Letters left polished; in a panel the outline is blasted deep, on a polished face the outline is frosted.
Surface finishes
How the stone is finished
A memorial usually combines two or more finishes, for example a polished face with rock pitch sides. On a proof, balance (Bal. or B/) means every surface not otherwise named. The codes are listed below.
Polished
High-gloss face that brings out the full depth of the color.
Steeled (dusted or frosted)
Polish removed to a fine matte texture that reads lighter than the polished stone; the usual background for sandblast lettering.
Rock pitch
Hand-split, rough natural edge that gives the stone a quarried look.
Sawn
The flat surface left by the saw, usually on backs and bottoms.
Proof codes
Abbreviations on our proofs
These are the standard industry codes. If you see one you do not recognize, ask us before you approve.
Pol. 1
Polished front
Pol. 2
Polished front and back
Pol. 3
Polished front, back and top
Pol. 5
Polished front, back, top and both ends
PM
Polished margin
PB
Polished bevel
PFT
Polished flat top
PS
Polished slant face
BRP
Balance rock pitch (all unnamed faces rock pitched)
B/SWN or Bal. Saw
Balance sawn
STL, Bal. Stl or B/S
Steeled (frosted); balance steeled
CM
Carbo margin
SE
Straight ends
OT
Oval top
FT
Flat top
Serp. Top
Serpentine top
RDS
Rounds
Decorative options
Carving, etching and color
Shape carving
Carving with depth and contour, so flowers, crosses or figures take on a sculpted form.
Flat carving
Line carving on the surface of the stone, also called skin carving.
Diamond etching
Fine detail scratched by hand with a diamond tip into polished dark granite; portraits and scenes.
Laser etching
Machine-etched portraits and photographs on polished dark granite.
Color etching
An etched image with color added to the scene or portrait.
Gold leaf
A thin layer of gold applied to lettering or to accent a carving.
Lithochrome tinting
Lithochrome (paint) applied inside sunk lettering or carving for contrast with the stone.
Pairing guidance
Pairing lettering with light and dark granite
On dark granite, contrast comes from making the letter lighter than the stone. Dark, fine-grained stones such as Jet Black, American Black and Impala Black suit etching and frosted (dusted) lettering. Etching is excellent on Jet Black and good on American Black and Impala Black.
On light and multicolored granite, contrast comes from depth and outline. Sunk letters in a dusted panel or a polished edge outline read best. We do not recommend etching on coarse-grained or multicolored stones, where fine detail gets lost.
If you are unsure, leave this portion of the design request form empty and our designers will use a standard pairing on the first proof.
Send us a design request
Tell us the stone, finish and lettering you have in mind, or leave it open. Your proof comes back with a trade quote in 7 to 14 days.