Why Black Granite Has Natural Inclusions. And Why That’s Normal

When choosing a black granite plaque or engraved stone, many people expect the surface to be perfectly uniform. It’s a reasonable expectation; after all, black granite is known for its deep, rich color and polished appearance. However, what’s important to understand is that black granite is a natural stone, and natural stone almost always contains inclusions.

What Are Inclusions?

Inclusions are naturally occurring variations within the stone. These can appear as small flecks, lighter or darker spots, subtle lines, or mineral deposits. They form deep within the earth as the granite cools and crystallizes over millions of years.

These features are not defects. They are part of the stone’s natural composition and are present in virtually all granite, even stones that appear very dark or uniform at first glance.

Why We Use Black Granite

The granite we use for engraving is cut from large slabs of natural dark black granite. While each slab appears uniformly black overall, no natural granite slab is completely free of inclusions.

When individual plaques are cut from a larger slab, each piece may reveal its own unique characteristics depending on where it was cut. Because of this natural variation, two plaques made from the same slab can still look slightly different from one another.

We intentionally use natural black granite tiles because of their exceptional durability, hardness on the Mohs scale, and their ability to accept detailed photo engraving. These qualities make black granite ideal for long-lasting, high-quality engraved plaques.

Why Inclusions Can’t Be Removed

There is no process that allows inclusions to be removed from granite without fundamentally altering or damaging the stone. These features are not surface-level marks. They run through the stone itself.

Polishing, engraving, or surface treatments cannot eliminate inclusions, and attempting to do so would compromise the integrity of the granite. This is true across the stone industry and applies to all natural granite products.

What This Means for Engraved Pieces

When engraving black granite, inclusions may sometimes become more noticeable depending on:

• The depth and location of the engraving

• The lighting conditions

• The natural mineral layout of that specific piece of stone

Rather than detracting from the piece, many customers appreciate that these variations make each plaque one of a kind.

Embracing Natural Stone

Natural granite is valued precisely because it is not manufactured or synthetic. Its variations are evidence of its authenticity and geological history.

While we carefully select high-quality black granite and inspect every piece before engraving, inclusions are a natural and unavoidable part of the material. They do not affect the durability, longevity, or function of the stone.