Recently, I had a discussion with Pradeep
Satyaprakash, a wholesale granite importer with whom we work, regarding the different
colors of granite, and the significance for the monument industry. As usual, Pradeep
provided an informed response.
Pradeep stated:
“ ‘Jet Black’ is a generic term for all different types of black. It can be
from India or China and can be of any grade. No telling what you'll get when someone says
‘Jet Black’ unless you have experience with their material.”
“ ‘India Black’ is a generic term for any Indian black. No relevance to the
quality. There are 6-8 grades of Indian Black, depending on who you ask. The cheapest is
30% less than the better grades. If someone comes and is offering you an Indian Black or
Indian Jet Black for significantly lower prices than us, then make sure you know what you
are getting.”
“This is the main reason I qualify our black as being ‘Premium India Jet
Black.’
When we say premium, you are getting the premium grade material that has a 30- year
history of usage in the monument industry and is backed by us. We can't afford to replace
our stone, so we only offer one grade of black. Makes my life easier, even if we are a few
percent points higher in price than others.”
“ ‘China black’ is a generic term for any Chinese black. There are 3-4
grades of Chinese black. The best being Shanxi Black, which is fairly expensive
(relatively to other Chinese Blacks) and is difficult to get in larger than 4-0 length
sizes.”
“ ‘Flash Black’ is South African black that many Elberton fellows stock to
cut ‘rush’ jobs from. It is more of a medium dark black. It is ok material,
somewhat expensive for what you get, and not as high grade as a premium Indian or Shanxi
Black.”
All black stone can be doctored. Both the Chinese and the Indians do it. I didn't believe
it until I saw a few examples in my travels of unscrupulous wholesalers selling doctored
black. Doctored stone will easily give away its color in anywhere between 6-18 months
after being installed in the open.
“If someone is offering you a very dark, perfectly beautiful black that seems
absolutely amazing in comparison to blacks you are getting from others, and if they are
offering that to you at a 15-30% discount over reputable sellers, be careful.”
“The best way to learn about blacks is to see samples in the various blacks and
actually have monuments made in the different blacks. Also talking to sandblasters and
etchers, you can get an idea of the material. Consider talking to retailers experienced in
working with black and other colors to get an idea of the quality.”
“It is very easy to fool people with black. Even I would have a difficult time
telling the difference between our premium jet black and an inferior black that has been
doctored. But after a year in the open, you can easily spot the cheaper blacks.”
“Caveat Emptor.”
So, that is an important view that needs to be considered by the memorialist. Know your
vendor, and know your stone, and, as Pradeep says, “Caveat Emptor.”
|
| About Burton Fletcher: Burton Fletcher, with over 20 years’ business experience, owns USAMonuments.com. He writes frequently on monument building and memorialization. He
is a licensed memorialist in Georgia and Florida and he ships and installs across the
United States and Canada. Burton is the founder and president of the Georgia Monument
Builders Association, www.GAMonumentBuilders.com. He enjoys photography, genealogy,
visiting cemeteries, and studying Southern monuments. Reach Burton at (888) 9Statue, (888)
978.2883, or (229) 245.8858 or e-mail Burton@USAMonuments.com for all your monument
needs. © Burton Fletcher 2005 All Rights Reserved. |
