What is Alabaster?
{{about|the mineral|other uses}} [[File:alabaster.whole.600pix.jpg|thumb|200px|A modern uplighter lamp made from Italian alabaster (white and brown types). The base is 5 inches (13 cm) in diameter]] [[File:Tutankhamun's Alabaster Jar.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Alabaster vase of Tutankhamun]] '''Alabaster''' is a name applied to varieties of two distinct [[mineral]]s. [[Gypsum]] is a [[hydroxy|hydrous]] [[sulfur|sulfate]] of [[calcium]], and [[calcite]] is a [[carbonate]] of calcium. Gypsum is the alabaster of the present day; calcite is generally the alabaster of the ancients. Both are easy to work. They are attractive to look at. Both have been used for making a variety of artworks and objects, especially small carvings. The two kinds are easy to tell apart. One is harder than the other. Calcite is hard ([[Mohs scale of mineral hardness|Mohs hardness]] 3). Gypsum is soft ([[Mohs scale of mineral hardness|Mohs hardness]] 1.5 to 2). It can be easily scratched by a fingernail. Also, calcite [[Effervescence|effervesces]] when it is treated with [[hydrochloric acid]]. Gypsum does not. [[Category:Minerals]] [[Category:Building materials]] [[Category:Sedimentary rocks]] {{sci-stub}}