Alabaster is a name used for gypsum and calcite but has also been used to indicate selenite. These minerals are easily worked due to their low hardness and have been used to craft all sorts of things since antiquity. Think of sculptures, household items, and, of course, jewelry.
Cameos composed of alabaster carvings set on onyx backings are regularly encountered in vintage jewelry.
Gemological Information for Alabaster
| Color: | Dark Brown, Light to Dark Green, Yellow & Black |
| Crystal Structure: | Monoclinic |
| Refractive Index: | 1.520 - 1.529 |
| Durability: | Poor |
| Hardness: | 2 to 2.5 |
| Family: | |
| Similar Stones: | Calcite Marble |
| Treatments: | Dyeing, Heat in Preparation for Dyeing, Bleaching |
| Country of Origin: | U.S., Canada, Italy, United Kingdom, Mexico |
Alabaster Care
| Ultrasonic Cleaning: | Never |
| Steam Cleaning: | Never |
| Warm Soapy Water: | Safe but no Abrasives |
| Chemical Attack: | Dissolves in Acid |
| Light Sensitivity: | Stable |
| Heat Sensitivity: | Dehydrates and Crumbles |