Stone Type: Light Nabresina

Light Nabresina is a type of limestone, a sedimentary rock formed from calcium carbonate (calcite). A consistent beige colour, it has unique shell patterns within its structure which can vary in terms of colour and prominence within each stone. Harder than other limestones, with similar tendencies to weathering, Light Nabresina is a good choice for detailed inscriptions due to its fine structure.

Light Nabresina Stone Information Card

Stone Type: Light Nabresina

Colour Range: Beige, with variable quantities of shell patterns in various shades of grey

Finish Options: Honed

Durability Level: Medium

Porosity: High (poor water resistance)

Weather Resistance: Medium (frost resistant but porous)

Maintenance Needs: High (regular professional clean to maintain appearance, avoid impact damage)

Longevity: Weathers over time

Example of Light Nabresina Stone

Why consider Light Nabresina stone?

Light Nabresina is one of the most versatile materials for a memorial, as it can be both sandblasted and handcarved, painted or unpainted, and is suitable for churchyard and cemetery settings. It is suitable for detailed carvings due to its fine, smooth structure and the integral, contrasting shell patterns often seen throughout mean that every memorial is one of a kind. While the colouring of the stone itself is consistent, the shell patterns vary throughout a spectrum of greys. It is quarried exclusively in Italy, particularly the Karst region near Trieste.

Like other limestones, Light Nabresina weathers over time and its porous nature means it will develop algae or moss and so require regular, professional cleaning. However, it is harder than York and Portland stones, meaning there is the broadest scope to choose your lettering method, and both sandblasted and handcarved lettering look attractive.

Lettering and ornaments can remain unpainted but we suggest that inscriptions are painted blue-grey or brown, these complement the natural shading while providing a contrast that ensures the chosen wording is prominent.

Pros

Suited to memorials of all shapes and sizes

Attractively priced for a traditional stone type

Most versatile of the limestone family

Shows craftsmanship of handcut lettering and ornaments

Suited to inscriptions of all lengths

Cons

Appearance is subject to variation in the type and size of shell patterns as they occur naturally and can develop further over time

Growth of algae and moss due to porous nature

Weathering leads to change of shape and legibility in the long term

Carbon footprint implications as it is only derived from Italy

Inscriptions are ideally painted to provide contrast and legibility