Alabaster is a name applied to varieties of two distinct minerls when used as a material: Gysum and calcit a carbonate of calcium, also known as onyx-marble, Egyptian alabaster or Oriental alabaster, in geological terms is "a limestone marked with patterns of swirling bands of cream and brown"In general, but not always, ancient Alabaster in Egypt and the Near
& Middle East is calcite. Alabaster in medieval Europe is gypsum.
Modern Alabaster is probably calcite, but may be either. Both are easy
to 'work' and as both are slightly water soluble, have been used for
making a variety of indoor artworks and carvings, as they will not
survive long outdoors.
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