Alabaster is not one stone, but two distinct minerals with a shared, ancient history.

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Though often grouped together, the alabaster used by ancient Egyptians and medieval Europeans are chemically different. One is a soft, hydrous calcium sulfate, the other a harder calcium carbonate. Both share a luminous, translucent quality that has made them prized for sculpture, architecture, and lighting for thousands of years.

Archaeologists and geologists define alabaster as either fine-grained gypsum or banded calcite. These materials are easily confused because they share a light, translucent appearance and are soft enough to carve without steel tools. However, they differ in hardness: gypsum registers 1.5 to 2 on the Mohs scale, while calcite sits at 3. A simple scratch test or acid treatment can distinguish them, as calcite effervesces when exposed to hydrochloric acid.

The historical application of these stones varies by region and era. Ancient Middle Eastern cultures, including Egypt and Mesopotamia, primarily utilized calcite alabaster for sacred objects like canopic jars and palace reliefs. In contrast, medieval Europe favored gypsum alabaster for funerary monuments and altarpieces. The name itself likely stems from the Greek 'alabastron,' which referred to small ointment vases. Some theories suggest the term originated from the Egyptian town of Alabastron, where the stone was quarried, or from the goddess Bast, whose figures often adorned these vessels.

Today, alabaster remains a relevant material in modern design, particularly for its light-diffusing properties. Artisans continue to shape it into lampshades and decorative fixtures that scatter light evenly. While gypsum alabaster is still mined in places like the Ebro Valley in Spain, calcite alabaster is often processed in workshops that employ traditional hand-carving or lathe-turning techniques. Because the stone is porous and slightly water-soluble, it is generally reserved for indoor use, as it cannot withstand prolonged outdoor exposure.

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