Difference Between Alabaster and Marble

Alabaster vs Marble

Alabaster and marble are widely used for ornamental works. These two are mainly used for making sculptures and used in buildings.
Here let us look at what Alabaster and marble is. First of all let us begin with Alabaster, which is widely used in ornamental statuary, ornaments and carving. Apart from making sculptures and other ornamental things, Alabaster has now been used in a romantic way to describe things that are white.
Alabaster, which has been widely used for many centuries, refers to two types of calcium. In the ancient times, calcite Alabaster formed of calcium carbonate was widely used. Egypt was the main center of Alabaster in ancient times. In modern times, gypsum alabaster formed of calcium sulfate is preferred. Though Alabaster is mainly found in white colour, it also comes in many colours like pale brown and reddish. Another feature of Alabaster is that it is slightly translucent.
Now let us look at marble. It is a form of metamorphic rock that is characterized by an array of color due to the presence of impurities. Unlike the Alabaster, marble can be polished heavily. Though a lot of metamorphic rocks including granite are termed as marble, true marble is made from limestone. True marble does not contain any impurities. Marble also comes in gray, green, black, pink and green colours.
Alabaster is a word that has been derived from Old French alabastre, which had been derived from Latin alabaster and gree alabastros. Marble is a word that has been derived from Greek mármaron.
Summary

1. Alabaster, which has been widely used for many centuries, refers to two types of calcium. In the ancient times, calcite Alabaster formed of calcium carbonate was widely used. Egypt was the main center of Alabaster in ancient times. In modern times, gypsum alabaster formed of calcium sulfate is preferred.
2. Marble is a form of metamorphic rock that is characterized by an array of color due to the presence of impurities.
3. Unlike the Alabaster, marble can be polished heavily. Though Alabaster is mainly found in white colour, it also comes in many colours like pale brown and reddish. Marble comes in white, gray, green, black, pink and green colours.
4. Another feature of Alabaster is that it is slightly translucent.
5. Alabaster is a word that has been derived from Old French alabastre, which had been derived from Latin alabaster and gree alabastros. Marble is a word that has been derived from Greek mármaron.

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