Stonemasonry is a very special craft in which a craftsperson takes coarse pieces of stone and creates beautiful accurate forms that can be decorative or structural.
Why is this important?
Masons work with a wide variety of stone, including limestone, granite, marble, slate and sandstone, for example. Stone is needed for projects such as:
Work to repair ancient structures and monuments of historical importance that are at risk of decay
Fixing of sculptures or newly commissioned carvings or making of Marble Headstones for graveyards and cemeteries at churches or cathedrals. Find out more about Marble Headstones at a site like Abbey Memorials.
Constructing and fitting stone features, such as frames for windows, arches and ornamental works for outdoor settings or a garden space.
What skills do you need to become a mason?
To work as a stonemason requires a very specific set of skills, including:
The ability to follow architectural plans and drawings
Cautious approach to work and a great attention to detail
Maths skills to enable accurate measurements
Coordination and practical skills
Creative approach
The history of stonemasonry
Stonemasonry is one of the earliest known professions in various civilizations throughout history. Stonemasonry methods date back to the Neolithic Revolution and the first domestication of animals. Masons first learned how to use fire to make lime, plaster, and mortar. These materials were then used to build houses with mud, straw and stones. And, as they say, the rest is history – as the stonemasonry profession was born.