A method of making a customized item from a single piece of quartz, the method comprising the steps of providing a piece of quartz of sufficient size and shape to form the item, carving the item out of the single piece of quartz into a desired shape, etching information into the item and applying a coating to the information after the step of etching the information to form the customized item. A customized item is also provided comprising a body formed of a single piece of quartz, the body shaped into a configuration simulating a home or a sports object, and including personalized information etched into the quartz and a coating over the personalized information to enhance visibility.