(Photo courtesy of Rusty Galetka) Alabaster mined in southern Utah is famous for its translucent qualities and orange hues. Sculptors carve the soft stone into decorative pieces like these by Utah artist Rusty Galetka.

Where is alabaster found in the world?

White alabaster is found in many countries around the world such as England, Belgium, China, India, Turkey, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Black alabaster is considered to be the rarest of all alabasters. The black alabaster is an anhydrite form of a gypsum mineral.

Where does alabaster come from in Italy?

Volterra in Tuscany has always been famous for the mining and processing of alabaster – a soft, almost translucent stone that resembles marble but can be carved like wood.