Stone combines the past and the present

The Stone Academy brings you information about stone. Read on for more information about our company, our story, and our operations. The Stone Guide contains instructions on how to care for various types of stone, the latest news from the industry, and interesting articles written by experts.

 

Kivilähde, suomalainen kivi
Stone combines the past and the present
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Our history

Kivilähde’s roots go back to 1989 when a stone industry company named Kaavin Kivi Oy was set up in Kaavi, Pohjois-Savo. The company’s first premises were in an old barn, where stone was worked primarily into stone objects and furniture. Demand led the company to change operations and begin manufacturing sculptures and gravestones, and larger premises were needed as a result. When Kaavin Kivi began to manufacture countertops in the late 1990s, the number of factories increased to two. Today, Kaavi is home to two factories specialising in the manufacture of gravestones and countertops; one on Kirjekuorentie road and one on Varikkotie road. There is also a factory outlet on Kirjekuorentie road.

A factory was built in Ylöjärvi in autumn 2013. The place used to be home to a stone-bordered spring, where locals used to collect water. That’s how the name Kivilähde, which is Finnish for “stone spring” came about alongside the Kaavin Kivi name. At the same time, the name was extended to cover all of the company’s operations nationwide. Nowadays the Ylöjärvi branch is home to a factory specialising in manufacturing countertops and stores that display a comprehensive range of countertops, gravestones and decorative stones.

Kivilähde extended operations into Helsinki in autumn 2015. At that time, a store was opened right next to the Hietaniemi cemetery at the address Mechelininkatu 3 B. The store displays gravestones and countertops. The store also provides additional engraving and restoration services for customers in the capital city area.

The newest Kivilähde branch is in Tapanila in Helsinki, at the address Punttikuja 3. The Tapanila branch has a store and production facilities where additional engraving and restoration work are carried out.

Kivilähde is known for its good service, personal and beautiful monuments, and its high-quality stone countertops. The company aims to realise its customers’ wishes and ideas in stone form. Kivilähde’s factories have manufactured more than 40,000 gravestones for private individuals and dozens of sculptures and monuments for e.g. parishes. Larger works made to order include Ukri Merikanto’s artwork Anadyomene in Mariehamn on the Åland islands, and iconostasis stonework designed by Petros Sasaki for the Orthodox church in Kajaani.

The types of stone used in gravestones are mostly Finnish. Kivilähde wants to promote the use of Finnish stone now and in the future, as it has sentimental value in gravestones and a positive effect on employment. Kivilähde quarries its popular red wine-coloured Lilac Pearl gneiss from Rautavaara, its dark green and brown Aarni granite from Kiuruvesi and its grey Silver Green quartzite from Varpaisjärvi. In addition, the company is investigating several stone deposits. Our own deposits guarantee high-quality stone and a wide range of colours for our customers.

In 2019, Kivilähde will reach its 30-year milestone. Today, Kivilähde acts as a trailblazer in modern Finnish stonemasonry and in honour of our long history, we have adopted the “by Kaavin Kivi” signature to guarantee the quality of our products.

 

Mission

Mission

We produce timelessly beautiful stone products to meet our customers’ wishes from design to installation.

Vision

Vision

An attractive product range, skilled personnel, a dealer network and professional service all guarantee profitable growth and the most satisfied customers on the market.

Kivilähde branches

Kaavi
Ylöjärvi
Helsinki, Kamppi
Helsinki, Tapanila

Kaavi

A factory specialised in manufacturing Kivilähde’s gravestones is located in Kaavi at the address Kirjekuorentie 6. The factory outlet serves customers looking to purchase gravestones, countertops or garden stones. The Kaavi factory also carries out additional engraving and restoration work on old gravestones. The store is open Mon-Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Ylöjärvi

Kivilähde’s countertop factory and factory outlet are located in Ylöjärvi at the address Kivilähteentie 13. The factory also carries out additional engraving and restoration work on old gravestones. Gravestones, countertop materials and various garden and decorative stones are on display in the Kivilähde store and outdoor facilities. The store is open Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Helsinki, Kamppi

Kivilähde’s Helsinki store is located close to the Hietaniemi cemetery at the address Mechelininkatu 3B. The store serves customers looking to buy gravestones and countertops. You can also order the additional engraving, restoration, adjustment or relocation of old gravestones through our store. Our store is open Mon-Fri 10:00am - 5:00pm.

Helsinki, Tapanila

Kivilähde's new branch is located in Helsinki at the address Punttikuja 3 in Tapanila, just a couple of kilometres from the Malmi cemetery. The Tapanila branch carries out additional engraving and restoration work on old gravestones. The store also serves gravestone and countertop customers. The store is open on weekdays from 9:00am - 4:00pm, please book an appointment in advance.

Kivilähde’s production

Stonemasonry using modern technology
Honouring manual stonework
Finnish work

Stonemasonry using modern technology

We work stone at our factories in Kaavi and Ylöjärvi. Our production uses the latest environmentally friendly technology and we make the best and most efficient use of our raw materials. Our materials are primarily Finnish and we aim to promote the use of Finnish stone in our operations.

Honouring manual stonework

Although modern technology is used to work stone, traditional handicraft skills are also required. Special honing and gravestone gilding in particular is still carried out largely by hand.

Finnish work

It is important to us that our products are manufactured in Finland, meaning we support Finnish work and skills.

Quarrying

Quarrying

Our company actively seeks new types of stone, with emphasis on characterful colours and textures. Our quarrying operations initiated in 2000 and ensure the supply of Lilac Pearl from Rautavaara, Aarni from Kiuruvesi and Silver Green from Varpaisjärvi. The stones are very popular in gravestones and interior design products.

Types of stone quarried by Kivilähde

Silver Green
Lilac Pearl
Aarni

Silver Green

Silver Green is a silvery, patterned quartzite quarried from Varpaisjärvi. It is very suitable for monuments and can be used decoratively indoors or outdoors.

Lilac Pearl

A dark gneiss that is deep lilac with areas of golden brown. Garnet-rich. Mildly patterned, some veins. Suitable for all indoor and outdoor applications.

Aarni

A granite consisting of feldspar minerals and quartz. The feldspar occurs in crystals measuring 2-4cm in size, distinguishable by their greyish-green sheen when held against the light. The quartz is slightly blue and it fluctuates in quantity. The structure has an even structure, which ensures an uniform appearance despite the angle of the cut. Suitable for all indoor and outdoor applications.

Custom-made work

Parish monuments and custom-made work
The Pro Patria memorial in Huittinen
The iconostasis at the Orthodox church in Kajaani
Anadyomene

Parish monuments and custom-made work

Kivilähde’s product range also includes various work built to order, from parish monuments to stone sculptures. We manufacture and, if necessary, work with the client to design various stone sculptures and monuments. Over the years we have delivered sculptures and monuments to e.g. Mariehamn, Pielavesi, Kaavi, Muuruvesi, Suonenjoki, and Viitasaari.

The picture shows the “Juoksuhaudantie” memorial to fallen soldiers completed in 2005 in Kaavi.

The Pro Patria memorial in Huittinen

Kirkkopuisto in Huittinen is home to the Pro Patria memorial made by Kivilähde in 2020. The memorial is made from black granite quarried from Varpaisjärvi and engraved with the names of 324 war heroes from Huittinen who fought in the Winter War and Continuation War.

The iconostasis at the Orthodox church in Kajaani

We carried out the stonework designed by Petros Sasaki for the iconostasis at the Orthodox church in Kajaani.

Anadyomene

Anadyomene in Mariehamn, designed by Ukri Merikanto and made by Kivilähde.

Sponsoring

The Liikkuva koulu project
Kuopion Steelers
Women’s volleyball
Floorball

The Liikkuva koulu project

Kivilähde is involved in sponsoring e.g. sports teams, and exercise among children and young people.

The school in Kaavi has become involved in the Liikkuva koulu (Moving school) project, which aims to add more exercise to the school day and encourage pupils to be active. The aim of the project is for every child to exercise enough for their health and to obtain everything they need to adopt an active lifestyle. Kivilähde has been involved in supporting the project.

Kuopion Steelers

The women in the Kuopion Steelers American football team played a great match in the first division, taking silver and confirming their place in the women’s Vaahteraliiga in 2019!

Women’s volleyball

We also support volleyball, e.g. the Kaiku women’s team in Kaavi and B-girls.

Floorball

Kivilähde is the main sponsor of the Kaavin Kaiku women’s floorball team. The Kaiku women’s team performed well and came third in the 3rd division’s Savo-Karjala regional series for the 2018-2019 regular season.

Gravestone Guide

The Gravestone Guide contains lots of tips on choosing and maintaining a gravestone. It explains the history of gravestones in more detail and describes the types of stones and their features. The Gravestone Guide also features a collection of topical articles and news.

To Gravestone Guide

Countertop Guide

The Countertop Guide is an introduction to the world of countertops and stone construction. Be inspired by our work, learn more about different types of stone and their features, and keep up to date with the latest news from the industry.

To Countertop Guide
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