“The recent work of glass artist Ernests Vītiņš (Ernest Vitin), a monument to the passing pianist Jautrīte Putniņa in the Valmiera Divala cemetery, unexpectedly surprised us. The idea itself was quite unusual: a glass piano of original size upright. But the miracle of the brand-new monument only came to light when installed in its natural light.
The front, smooth surface of the work bears the inscription of polished stainless steel, the name, the year and the signature of the pianist herself. But the other side of the massive monument was made wavy by the artist Ernests Vītiņš (Ernest Vitin). As a result, moving spectacles of light are formed on the glass piano with each viewer’s movement. The sun’s rays and even people passing by make a great visual impression. It looks as if the souls of the pianist’s compositions are displayed in a glass monument. The heavy and voluminous image of the memorial suddenly becomes light, airy and alive.
This new monument, created by the glass artist Ernests Vītiņš(Ernest Vitin), already called “Eternal Piano”, is a perfect match for the passing pianist Jautrīte Putniņa, the meaning, and substance of her life."
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Frequently asked questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for comprehensive answers and valuable information, from the shipping process to fire safety. We'll provide helpful answers to ensure the most convenient and transparent purchasing experience.
How does the delivery process work?Once the monument is ready, we prepare it for safe shipping and installation. We survey logistics companies to find and offer you the most advantageous shipping option and price. We can find out about the delivery options and the price as soon as we know the delivery address and the exact configuration of the shipment - size and weight. We have already established successful cooperation with suppliers in some countries, but we are always open to cooperation with the supplier proposed and chosen by you!
How long does the production take?The production of glass tombstones takes at least 30 working days. This time is significantly influenced by the complexity of the monument's design and the number of orders received in a given period of time.
Please note that in the spring, the amount of work increases significantly thus, the duration of production takes at least 45 days. Therefore, we invite you to plan your purchase of the monument in time, applying for the creation of the design in the winter season. This will ensure the monument is ready for installation in the upcoming spring/summer.
Is it possible to design a granite base or other stone elements?You can design the granite base and stone elements with local stonemasons or with us. Making stone parts with us will be the only option in rare cases. This applies to constructions where stone and glass must fit very tightly (for example, stone inlay in a glass monument or glass in a boulder).
Are Glasstone monuments long-lasting?Glasstone studio processes are strictly monitored, prioritizing the quality and longevity of each headstone, which is why we are the only ones to offer a guarantee on our memorial products. Over the years, thanks to the in-depth research into the possibilities of the glass stacking technique, there was the possibility for executing more diverse and complex variations of shapes, sizes and uses of glass.
Are glass monuments a fire risk?A glass stack works against the dangerous magnifying glass effect. In stacked glass, the sunlight entering the glass is spread out rather than concentrated into one single point of sunlight because all edges are slightly wavy and curved.
Why buy through Glasstone?We frequently encounter customers who ask if a particular company is our representative in their country because our monuments are on display there. Please see our contact page to ensure who our official cooperation partners are. Also, we have encountered several unpleasant situations with stonemasons using our designs on their websites and promising their customers to create something similar, even claiming the particular design as their own. Therefore, we invite you to be very careful and to check the expertise of the artist or manufacturer who claims to be able to make a glass monument that will last for many years in different climatic conditions before ordering one. We have been working on our technology for over a decade, and we are sure it is impossible to master this art in one year. Be careful if you are told tempered glass will be used in the multilayer technique. Tempered glass should never be used in this technique - it is impossible. Ask your dealer for a longevity guarantee. Glasstone gives its monuments a 30-year warranty, which is absolutely equivalent to a great stonemason's warranty on its product.
Are monuments vandalized?A couple dozen monuments have been installed in Latvia, the oldest one for 9 years - there have been no unpleasant situations. We have talked with the grave managers - the 'destruction' is more likely manifested in efforts to steal the monument and sell it, but the probability of this is practically non-existent because the monument is unbearably heavy - just like a stone monument. |
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Shipping and delivery
As soon as the glass memorial is ready, we share photos/videos with you for evaluation, prepare it for shipment and make installation instructions. We survey logistics companies to find and offer you the best delivery option. We can do the survey as soon as we know the delivery address and the exact configuration of the shipment - size and weight. We have established successful cooperation with transportation companies in various countries, but we are also open to collaboration with other logisticians, which you propose and choose! |
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Production duration
The production of glass monuments lasts from 30 workdays. It mainly depends on the complexity of the design and the ongoing workload during the particular period. The work volume is usually highest during spring, whereby the production time is the most extended, starting from ~45 workdays. Therefore, we advise ordering a glass monument timely. For example, if you wish to install the memorial in spring/summer, then - autumn/winter is the best time to make the order. |
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Granite base and other stone elements
You may choose to develop the granite base and stone elements with your local stonemasons or us. Making them locally will save you the shipping costs, and the stonemasons may prepare the ground and install the base as soon as it is ready. On rare occasions, making the stone parts with us will be the only option. This applies to designs where the stone and glass have to be very closely fitted (e.g. inlay of stone in glass monument or glass in boulder). |