Materials for building a tombstone

Types of Stones Used for Tombstones

Below are several types of stone commonly used in the construction of tombstones:

Hebron Stone
Galilee Stone
Yiftach Stone
Maccabim Stone
Turkish Marble (Marmara)
Granite
Halila Stone
Copper Stone
Basalt Rocks
Bulbus
River Pebbles
Onyx
Onyx No. 2
Honey Onyx
White Onyx
White Onyx No. 2
Basalt No. 2
Crystal No. 1
Crystal No. 2
Cylindrical Stone
Chinese Granite

In addition, we invite you to view a “short geological lesson” available on our website.

General Notes
Most of these materials are available in various finishes, including:
chiseled, natural rough, sandblasted, smooth, or polished.
Our factory features a rotating display of additional stone types.
Material quality: Each stone is available in different quality grades (commonly referred to as Grade A, B, C, etc.).
It is important to ensure that only high-quality materials are used.

Stone Types Explained

Hebron Stone

A hard limestone in shades of yellow, cream, and white.
Commonly used for standard tombstones, especially in state and military memorials.

Characterized by:
Pinkish veins and brown spots
Suitable for both natural/raw finishes and polished finishes
Galilee Stone

Galilee Stone

A general name for marble quarried in the Upper Galilee.

Includes stones from:
Beit HaKerem Valley (e.g., Shazor, Nahf, Bu’eine, Karmiel)
Light brown tones with reddish-brown veining
Upper Galilee region (e.g., Kisra-Sumei, Yarka, Mount Meron area)
Warm yellow and brown shades
Rich textures formed by iron oxidation and fossilization

A strong and beautiful marble that responds well to various finishing techniques.

Yiftach Stone

A high-quality Galilee stone, more dolomite than limestone, in shades of pink, red, and cream.

Maccabim Stone

A reddish Jerusalem mountain stone with a wild, dynamic texture.

Features:

Color variations from pinkish-brown to deep red
Embedded silica and crystal veins that create visual richness

Turkish Marble (Marmara)

A bluish-gray marble with black-gray clouding, sometimes striped.
Imported from Marmara Island (near the Bosporus)
Used since Roman times for tombstones and sculptures
Durable, uniform, and excellent for both polished and natural finishes
Granite

A premium, highly durable material sourced worldwide.

Uniform color with a speckled texture
Extremely hard (requires diamond tools for processing)
Available in black, gray, red, green, and more
Known for long-lasting durability and minimal wear over time

Halila Stone

A hard limestone in yellow and cream tones.

Commonly used for luxury cladding and flooring
Fine texture and relatively uniform appearance
Suitable for both natural and polished finishes
Copper Stones

(Decorative stones incorporating copper tones or elements)

Basalt

A volcanic rock formed from cooled lava.
Typically dark and dense
Found in northern Israel along the Syrian-African Rift
Often appears in rounded or oval forms

Bulbus

A naturally rounded stone formation, often used for decorative purposes.

River Pebbles

Smooth stones shaped by water erosion, used for decorative elements.

Onyx

A semi-precious stone, a type of chalcedony (quartz) with microcrystalline structure.
Believed by some to be related to the biblical “Shoham” stone
Characterized by layered bands in various colors
Common combinations: white, brown, and black
A variation called Sardonyx features reddish bands instead of black.

Summary

Each type of stone offers unique visual qualities, durability, and symbolic value. The choice of material allows families to create a tombstone that reflects both the character of the deceased and the desired aesthetic.