Alabaster (disambiguation) facts for kids

Alabaster is a term that can mean two different things. Most often, it refers to a soft, light-colored mineral that people have used for thousands of years to create beautiful sculptures and decorative objects. It's known for its smooth texture and how it can sometimes let light pass through it.

There is also a town called Alabaster, Alabama in the United States. This article will mainly focus on the mineral.

What is Alabaster?

Alabaster is a type of mineral that is usually white or very light in color. It's quite soft, which makes it easy to carve into different shapes. Because it's soft, artists and sculptors have loved using it for a very long time.

Two Kinds of Alabaster

There are actually two main types of alabaster, and they are made of different minerals:

• Gypsum Alabaster: This is the most common type of alabaster today. It's made from a mineral called gypsum. Gypsum alabaster is very soft, so you can even scratch it with your fingernail. It's often white, but can also be tinted with colors like brown, red, or yellow due to other minerals mixed in. It's found in many places around the world, including Italy, Spain, and the United States.
• Calcite Alabaster: This type is made from calcite, which is a bit harder than gypsum. It's also known by other names like "onyx-marble" or "Egyptian alabaster." This kind of alabaster was very popular in ancient times, especially in Ancient Egypt and the Near East. It often has beautiful bands or patterns of color.

How is Alabaster Used?

Because alabaster is soft and easy to carve, it has been used for art and decoration for thousands of years.

• Sculptures and Statues: Many ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, carved statues, vases, and other objects from alabaster. Its smooth surface and ability to be polished made it perfect for detailed work.
• Decorative Items: In more recent times, alabaster has been used to make lamps, bowls, and other decorative pieces for homes. When thin, gypsum alabaster can be slightly see-through, giving a soft glow when lit from behind.
• Architectural Details: Sometimes, alabaster was used for parts of buildings, especially in churches or palaces, for things like windowpanes or decorative panels.

Alabaster in History

Alabaster has a rich history, especially the calcite type.

• Ancient Egypt: The ancient Egyptians used calcite alabaster a lot. They made canopic jars (which held organs during mummification), ritual objects, and even parts of tombs from it.
• Mesopotamia: In ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), alabaster was used for important statues and carvings found in temples and palaces.
• Medieval Europe: During the Middle Ages, gypsum alabaster became popular in Europe, especially in England and Italy. It was used to carve religious figures and altarpieces for churches.

The Town of Alabaster

The town of Alabaster is located in Shelby County, Alabama, in the United States. It was named "Alabaster" because of the large deposits of white limestone found nearby. While not the same as the mineral alabaster used for carving, the name reflects the area's geological features. It is a growing community and a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama.