What is alabaster and where does it come from?

Question

I recently bought some old glasses that were made of alabaster. I found it very beautiful and want to know more about it - Is this a stone that is available anywhere?

Answer 1

-was used extensivly by the Egyptians
-type of gypsum
-type of calcite
-limestone, sandstone, granite, etcc....
hope this helps. :)

Answer 2

Alabaster precedes the Egyptians and goes as far back as when the Assyrians were a group to be reckoned with. In fact all of their sculptures were done in alabaster. But sadly alabaster is too soft to stand the test of time which is why we have hardly anything left of Assyrian sculptures.

Answer 3

Alabastar (From Britannica)
...fine-grained, massive gypsum (q.v.) that has been used for centuries for statuary, carvings, and other ornaments. It normally is snow-white and translucent but can be artificially dyed; it may be made opaque and similar in appearance to marble by heat treatment. Florence, Livorno, and Milan, in Italy, and Berlin are important centres of the alabaster trade.

...It's origins go back to Egypt, and it's often used with soapstone carvings. It's rather expensive depending on where you're buying it.