A Method of Colouring and Polishing Calcareous and other Stones, and Producing Variegated Effects thereon in One or More Colours.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method of Colouring and Polishing Calcareous and other Stones,
and Producing Variegated Effects thereon in One or More Colours.
We, THOMAS BREAKELL and JOHN WILLIAM BREAKELL both of Prestwich Park,
near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster Color Manufacturers, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention consists in a method for coloring limestone and other calcareous
stones, and also stones of other formations by the application of certain coloring
matters and gums and oils hereinafter further specified.
As the process of coloring is the same in each case subject only to the use of
different coloring matter, or coloring matter used in different proportions for the
production of different colors and shades, it will be convenient to describe the
method of producing one of the colors.
To produce a red or any shade of red we proceed as follows:-We apply to the
surface of the stone a mixture of gum dragon and resin in certain proportions
according to the depth of color required, and in a melted state, the stone being
first heated in an oven to about 200 degrees (Fahrenheit). After applying the
color, the stone is again placed in the oven and submitted to a similar degree of
heat for a period of about two hours. The stone is then allowed to cool, and the
superfluous matter left on the surface removed by rubbing. The stone is then
polished in the ordinary way, by hand or steam polishing. An essential feature of
our invention consists in the use of resin in conjunction with the coloring matter,
and this combination is of great advantage in permitting a higher polish to be
given to the stone, than could be obtained without it.
We have now described the method of coloring the stone a medium red-a greater
proportion of resin will produce a lighter shade; and a greater proportion of gum
dragon, a darker.
A variety of other colors can be produced by the aid of other materials well known
as stains for stones, in combination in various proportions, but we claim the use of
resin as novel in all combinations of colouring matters.
For some shades of brown, we use boiled linseed oil in conjunction with tar, and
resin which combination we also claim to be new. A mixture of four pints of tar,
2 pints of boiled linseed oil and 1 pint of resin is well proportioned.
It should be mentioned that a greater degree of heat is required for some of the
shades.
To produce a variegated effect in two or more colors, or shades of the same color,
we proceed with the first color as already described. Then, when that is fixed we rub
down the stone until portions of it, where the color has sunk the least into it are left
We then take the
in patches of the original uncolored or partially colored stone.
stone and apply another coloring mixture to it going over the whole of the surface.
This second color then penetrates into the stone at the patches, but has very little
effect on those parts of the stone where the first color still remains. If a third or a
greater number of colors are required the same process is followed.
We also make an imitation of marble by printing from a block or applying with a
brush to the stone, which may he either heated or cold, any required pattern with a
solution of white gum lac in naphtha, or any other suitable spirit, this having the
effect of preserving those parts of the stone where it touches from the action of the
coloring matter subsequently to be applied. The stone is then heated and colored
over its whole surface as before described; the effect then obtained is a pattern in the
ordinary color of the stone in a different ground, but the pattern may have a different
color applied to it, if desired by the means already described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
I. The production of a variegated effect in stones by first coloring, and then rubbing
off a portion of the colored surface and coloring again, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
II. Coloring stones by the use of a combination of a coloring matter and resin
substantially as hereinbefore described whether the process is accomplished hot
or cold.
III. The use of a compound of boiled linseed oil with tar and resin for coloring
stones.
IV. The use of white gum lac dissolved in a suitable solvent for protecting parts of
stones to be marbled substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 27th day of June 1890.
CLERK & MARKS,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicants.
CLERK & MARKS,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicants.