About Glass Art Etchings

Monuments by Parise is the area’s largest provider of GLASS Art™ etchings.  Our company is the only one in Northeastern Pennsylvania that has an exclusive agreement to work directly with the manufacturer of GLASS Art™ etchings.

What is Glass Art?

The patented GLASS Art™ process (Granite, Lasered, Augmented, Silicated, and Sealed) was developed specifically for the monument industry to provide the brightest, most colorful and long lasting images for any type or color of granite.  This process uses high powered lasers to literally melt the granite into a form of glass.  The imaging is engraved deep into the stone; dramatically increasing its durability in virtually any environment.  It offers unique choices for imaging pictures, emblems, scenes and lettering on any type or color of granite. GLASS Art™ offers durability unavailable anywhere else.

How is it produced?

High powered lasers are utilized to “tattoo” the pigment into the granite. The images are encapsulated into a “glass” envelope, protected against the elements.

Why glass?

Glass is inert and is highly resistant to change or oxidization over a long period of time, and provides a “self healing” sealer which will last indefinitely.

How long will it last?

GLASS Art™ has been tested by Atlas Testing Laboratories in Chicago IL, one of the oldest and most respected testing labs in the country. They ranked it’s durability with fired ceramic glaze, one of the toughest composites known. It has been tested for UV exposure, moisture, acids, oxidizers, temperature variations and physical abrasions. There is no other process known that has the lifespan of GLASS Art™. Our GLASS Art™ process is the only coloring process for granite that we are aware of that carries a long term warranty covering fading, chipping, cracking, peeling, etc. 

I have heard it looks like a sticker. Is that true?

When GLASS Art™ is first delivered from the factory, it has a “puffy” sticker appearance until the image matures or ripens in the sun for 3-6 months. After the aging period, it will be absorbed into the stone and flatten out. These important parts of the process help the image last far longer than any other known method. Care should be taken with the stone and artwork for the first 6 months; afterwards, it will gain extraordinary strength and durability.

How many images have you produced?

Thousands of memorials have been produced on every type of granite known, in every part of the country. Countless families have been delighted by the vibrant images.

Can this be done on an existing stone?

Yes, but the memorial must be sent to our factory for imaging, currently, this process cannot be done in the field.

What kind of surface does the stone need?

GLASS Art™ can be imaged on a polished surface, a steeled surface, or a sawed surface. Under certain conditions, it can be used on a flamed surface.

What types of granite work best?

Any type of granite can be used; this process was specifically designed for the non-black granite.

What other types of etchings exist for granite memorials?

Traditional Co2 Laser Etchings and Hand Etchings have been used for years in the monument industry.  They obtain such great detail and allow for many options in sizing but can only be used on dark colored granites and polished finishes. Over time, they are not resistant to fading, chipping, cracking, peeling, etc. as the slightly more expensive GLASS Art™ etching.

Click here to view the full gallery for Glass Art Etchings.