What is Alabaster?Alabaster is a form of gypsum. It is a
crystalline mineral, hydrated calcium sulfate (CaSo42H2O). Spain is the source
for most high quality alabaster today. Alabaster occurs naturally in a variety
of colors, like marble. But, the type used in lighting is white with beige or
taupe veins and inclusions. Pieces used for lamp bases and other small parts might
be cut from lower quality, less translucent stone. How do I clean alabaster?Simply
use a damp - not wet - soft cloth and gently wipe the piece clean. Never use detergents
or abrasives. Why is alabaster so expensive?There are 2 reasons.
Limited quantities and high labor. There is a lot of labor in producing
your alabaster lighting. Alabaster is found in veins between 6" and 20"
deep surrounded by other minerals. It deteriorates from exposure to the
surface. Weather damages it, so alabaster found near the surface cannot be used.
Alabaster is mined from deeper sources. And remember, that when found, the alabaster
is only 6" to 20" deep. Much of the alabaster that is mined cannot
be used. Only the translucent stone can be used for lighting. The other is cut
away. How long has alabaster been around?Alabaster has been around
for a very long time. Alabaster was used in Bible times. Ancient Egyptian alabaster
carvings and vessels can be seen in many museums. Both the ancient Chinese and
Greeks also carved alabaster. Alabaster has been used for lighting nearly
as soon as electricity was. Early bulbs were clear and glary. The beautiful
translucence of alabaster is the perfect way to hide the bulb and other electric
parts and soften it's glare. Alabaster lighting was used in both the Art
Nouveau and Art Deco movements. In the early 1980's alabaster was "discovered"
by modern lighting designers with unique results. Now alabaster can be seen in
many public buildings, as well as homes. 
How
can I tell the difference between a vein and heat discoloration? This
is easy. Heat evaporates the water from the stone. If the dark area is surrounded
by a chalky white ring, it is most likely heat discoloration. Another clue is
that it is on the inside and not on the outside, where it was exposed to less
heat. This is a good reason to never use hotter bulbs than your fixture
was designed for. If the dark spot is on the outside or does not have a
white chalky ring around it, it is naturally veining. Why can't a manufacturer
who uses alabaster guarantee that fixtures will match? Alabaster is quarried.
It is a natural material. Unlike marble or granite, it is found in thin veins,
6" to 20" deep. Marble and granite can be found in huge deposits. So,
they can be cut in matching tiles. Alabaster is delivered to the factory
in huge rocks weighing from 30 lbs. to almost a ton. Much of it must be cut away
to reveal the translucent material that can be used for lighting. So, some may
be almost completely milky white, and others may have beautiful veining. To
get the matching pieces for a single chandelier, the larger rocks are cut into
slices. They are then cut apart into the sizes necessary for each alabaster piece.
They are worked on a lathe to cut out the individual shapes. Up to 75 percent
of the rock must be cut away. How is Alabaster shaped?Alabaster
can be intricately carved, but larger pieces of alabaster are usually worked more
like wood than like conventional stone. It is more art than science, each stonecutter
creating a unique piece after seeing the characteristics of each stone. Once
the alabaster is shaped, the piece is sanded. Four different grades of sandpaper
are used ranging from very rough to very fine. In the final sanding, steel wool
leaves the sensuously smooth surface that is so attractive. Finally, the
piece sprayed with a coat of polyurethane to close the pores and prevent surface
deterioration. Sometimes a stain is added to shade the alabaster. | 
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