Alabaster
There are two different minerals to which this term is applied. Egyptian alabaster is a hard, marble-like, translucent lime carbonate, geologically termed calcite, much used for vases. The substances usually called alabaster to-day is a lime sulphate which is both softer than Egyptian alabaster and slightly soluble in water. Alabaster, like marble, is attacked by acids with noticeable effervescence.
Methods of cleaning are the same as for marble, except that it must be remembered that alabaster is likely to be affected to some extent by water which should be used with care. Petrol and benzene are both safe cleansers, and may be applied with a soft brush.