Alabaster << AL uh `bas` tuhr >> is the name of two types of fine-grained white rocks that look similar but have different chemical compositions. Both types are used for ornamental purposes.
Today, the word alabaster commonly refers to a type of rock composed of the mineral gypsum. Gypsum is an extremely soft mineral made of calcium sulfate and water. Craftworkers make vases, statues, and building stone from gypsum alabaster. It is soft, and workers can carve it without special tools. Deposits of gypsum alabaster occur in many parts of the world.
In ancient times, the word alabaster referred to a type of rock from which carvers made vases called alabasters. People kept ointments and perfumes in these vases. Carvers shaped alabasters from cave formations called stalactites and stalagmites. These formations are composed of calcite, which is harder than gypsum. Calcite crystals are hexagonal. One kind of calcite alabaster, called oriental alabaster, is mined mainly near Florence, Italy. Another kind, Egyptian alabaster, was mined in ancient times near Thebes, Egypt.
