Pigmented images on stone

A method of creating a pigmented image on a stone substrate comprising the steps of:

• positioning the stone substrate relative to a laser engraving apparatus;
• masking the stone substrate in an image area in which the image is to be created with a first mask layer;
• operating the laser engraving apparatus in a pattern over the masked area at a sufficient power level to burn through the mask and pit the stone substrate with a first set of pits;
• applying a first layer of pigment over the image area to any remaining first mask layer in the image area and to the first set of pits;
• curing the first layer of pigment;
• removing any remaining first mask layer;
• applying a second mask layer over the image area;
• operating the laser engraving apparatus in a pattern over the masked area at a sufficient power level to burn through the second mask layer and any of the first mask layer and the first layer of pigment in the path of the laser and pit the stone substrate with a second set of pits;
• applying a second layer of pigment over any remaining second mask layer in the image area and to the second set of pits;
• curing the second layer of pigment;
• removing any remaining second mask layer;
• wherein at least one of the sets of pits is in the shape of a dithered image;
• and
• further comprising the step of covering the image with at least one clear protective coat.

A method of creating an image on a stone substrate using a laser engraving apparatus including a laser emitter, the method comprising the steps of:

• converting an image file of the image to a dithered image file having at most one bit per pixel;
• positioning the stone substrate relative to the laser engraving apparatus;
• masking the stone substrate with a mask layer over an image area in which the image is to be created;
• moving the laser emitter to a plurality of locations relative to the stone substrate based on information from the dithered image file;
• operating the laser emitter at each of the plurality of locations at a sufficient power level to burn through the mask layer and glassify the stone substrate to thereby form at least one glassified pit in the stone substrate;
• applying a layer of pigment over the image area to any remaining portions of the mask layer in the image area and to the glassified pits;
• curing the layer of pigment;
• and
• removing any remaining portions of the mask layer.