Alabaster is a mineral or rock that is soft, often used for carving, and is processed for plaster powder.

Is alabaster hard?

On the MOHS scale of hardness, alabaster (gypsum) has a rating of 1.5 – 2. This stone, from the Volterra region of Italy, is a medium soft stone that will carve and polish easily.

What happens when alabaster gets wet?

Cleaning Considerations Alabaster is so soft that it carves easily with hand tools, but this quality also makes the stone difficult to clean. The soft stone gets scratched or damaged easily, and thin areas are very brittle. … Never use water to clean alabaster; even a damp cloth can cause damage to the delicate stone.