Granite headstones come in far more colours than most families expect. The colour you choose shapes the look of the memorial, how engraving and artwork read on the stone, and the price. As a rule of thumb: light grey is the most affordable, most colours including black, pink and the patterned imports sit in the moderate middle, and the rarest stones such as Indian Red and Blue Pearl carry premium pricing. On a standard upright headstone, the difference between the most affordable and the most expensive colour is typically $300 to $700.
This guide shows all sixteen granite colours we carry, what each one looks like, what it pairs well with, and how to narrow the choice down. Every colour links to its own gallery if you want to see more examples.
All Sixteen Granite Colours at a Glance
| Colour | Character | Pairs well with | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Grey | Soft, classic, timeless cemetery granite | Dark engraved lettering, traditional designs | Most affordable |
| Black | Deep, polished, formal | Laser etched portraits, gold or silver lettering | Moderate |
| Pink | Warm, gentle, soft rose tones | Floral artwork, serpentine tops | Moderate |
| Indian Red | Rich, warm red-brown | Traditional uprights, family monuments | Premium |
| Blue Pearl | Shimmering blue-silver crystals | Polished finishes that catch the light | Premium |
| Bahama Blue | Deep blue-grey with flowing veining | Silver lettering, modern designs | Moderate |
| Tropical Green | Dark green with natural movement | Gold lettering, nature inspired artwork | Moderate |
| Paradiso | Swirling violet, grey and bronze patterns | Statement pieces, minimal lettering | Moderate |
| Dark Brits | Deep charcoal brown, understated | Carved roses, wedding band artwork | Moderate |
| Galaxy Black | Deep black with natural gold flecks | Laser etched portraits, gold or silver lettering | Ask us |
| Emerald Pearl | Dark green-black with a blue-green shimmer | Silver or white lettering, polished finishes | Ask us |
| White Pearl | Pale, soft and light-toned | Carved relief roses and angels, dark lettering | Ask us |
| Aurora | Warm dark stone with flowing brown and red | Gold or silver lettering, simple layouts | Premium |
| Cat’s Eye | Warm brown flecked with copper and black | Sandblasted lettering, carved florals | Ask us |
| Galactic Blue | Dark stone with vivid electric-blue flecks | Silver or white lettering, minimal artwork | Ask us |
| Indian Mahogany | Rich red-brown with grey and black grains | Gold or white lettering, carved roses | Ask us |
Exact pricing always depends on the size, thickness and design of the monument. Our guide on monument costs in Ontario breaks down what each part of the price covers.
The Sixteen Colours, One by One
Light Grey Granite
The most affordable granite and the classic cemetery stone. Light grey is widely quarried, ages gracefully, and gives engraved lettering strong contrast. If you picture a traditional headstone, you are probably picturing grey granite. Browse our grey granite headstones.
Black Granite
Polished black granite is the most versatile canvas in the catalogue. It is the best surface for laser etched portraits, and gold or silver lettering reads beautifully against it. A frequent choice for families who want a portrait or detailed artwork on the stone. See our black granite headstones.
Pink Granite
Soft rose tones give pink granite a warm, gentle presence, and it pairs naturally with floral artwork. Imported from Asia, it sits in the moderate price tier. View our pink granite headstones.
Indian Red Granite
A rich red-brown stone with real warmth, often chosen for family monuments and double uprights. Imported from Asia, it is one of the premium stones in our catalogue. Explore our Indian red granite headstones.
Blue Pearl Granite
Blue Pearl is a Scandinavian granite filled with reflective crystals that shimmer as the light moves. It is one of the most distinctive stones we carry and looks its best with a full polish. See our blue pearl granite headstones.
Bahama Blue Granite
Deep blue-grey with flowing natural veining, so no two Bahama Blue stones are alike. Silver lettering suits it especially well. Browse our Bahama blue granite headstones.
Tropical Green Granite
A dark green stone with natural movement through the grain. Gold lettering against tropical green is a classic combination, and it stands apart in a row of grey and black monuments. View our tropical green granite headstones.
Paradiso Granite
Paradiso swirls violet, grey and bronze through every stone, which makes it the boldest pattern in the catalogue. It suits families who want the granite itself to be the statement, with simpler lettering. See our Paradiso granite headstones.
Dark Brits Granite
A deep charcoal brown that reads almost black but warmer and more understated. Carved roses and wedding band artwork show beautifully on it. Explore our Dark Brits granite headstones.
Galaxy Black Granite
Deep black granite scattered with natural golden flecks that catch the light like a night sky, and one of the best surfaces for laser etched portraits. Explore our Galaxy Black granite granite headstones.
Emerald Pearl Granite
A dark Norwegian larvikite filled with crystals that flash blue-green as the light moves, giving a jewel-like depth. Explore our Emerald Pearl granite granite headstones.
White Pearl Granite
One of the lightest stones we carry, with a pale surface that shows carved relief artwork beautifully in soft shadow. Explore our White Pearl granite granite headstones.
Aurora Granite
A warm, dark stone with reddish-brown and tan tones that flow across the surface like movement in the stone. Explore our Aurora granite granite headstones.
Cat’s Eye Granite
A warm brown granite flecked with copper, red and black, with a steady, earthy character. Explore our Cat’s Eye granite granite headstones.
Galactic Blue Granite
One of the most dramatic stones we carry, scattered with crystals that flash vivid electric blue for a bold, modern memorial. Explore our Galactic Blue granite granite headstones.
Indian Mahogany Granite
A warm red-brown granite with a rich, traditional character, deeper and browner than a true red. Explore our Indian Mahogany granite granite headstones.
Which Colour Is Best for Laser Etched Portraits?
Polished black granite. Laser etching burns thousands of fine dots onto the polished surface. The etching sits on the surface with almost no depth, and the contrast between the pale dots and the dark stone is what makes a portrait read clearly. Lighter and patterned granites do not give the same contrast. Our guide to monument engraving methods explains how laser etching compares with sandblasting and carving.
Does the Colour Affect How Long the Stone Lasts?
No. Granite is granite: the colour reflects where the stone was quarried, not its durability. A light grey headstone will last just as long as a premium import. What colour does affect is the price, the look, and which engraving styles read best on the surface.
How to Narrow Down the Choice
Three practical questions settle most decisions:
1. What does the cemetery allow? Some cemetery sections control the type or material of memorial through their by-laws or garden plans. Some sections only allow flat markers, and in some, bronze markers may be required instead. Check before falling in love with a stone. Our GTA cemetery guide covers how those rules work.
2. What will be on the stone? A portrait points to black. Detailed floral carving suits grey, pink or Dark Brits. If the family wants the stone itself to carry the beauty, the premium imports do that with very little lettering.
3. Does it need to match? In a family plot, matching the granite of neighbouring family monuments often matters more than any other factor. Bring a photo and we can identify the colour.
The surest way to choose is to see the granite in person. Colours photograph differently than they look in daylight, and the patterned stones especially need to be seen. You can see granite samples and full size monuments in person at our Markham showroom, or start with our upright headstones and custom monuments collections. Once the colour is settled, our guide on what to write on a headstone helps with the words.
Granite Colour FAQs
What is the most affordable granite colour for a headstone?
Light grey. It is the most widely quarried granite, which keeps the price down, and it remains the classic cemetery stone. On a standard upright, the gap between the most affordable and most expensive colour is typically $300 to $700.
What is the best granite colour for a laser etched portrait?
Polished black granite. The contrast between the pale etched dots and the dark surface is what makes portraits and fine artwork read clearly.
Do darker granite colours last longer?
No. Colour comes from where the granite was quarried and has no effect on durability. Every colour we carry is solid granite.
Why do some colours cost more than others?
Rarity. Stones like Indian Red and Blue Pearl come from fewer quarries, which raises the cost of the raw granite.
Can I choose any colour for any cemetery?
Usually, but not always. Some cemetery sections restrict memorial types or materials through their by-laws or garden plans, so confirm with the cemetery office before ordering.