Why choose to work with alabaster?
Alabaster is a soft sedimentary stone that can be carved with power tools such as saws, sanders, dremels, drills or with hand tools such as knives, sledges, rasps, and chisels. When wet is can be polished to a glowing smoothness. Areas that are not sanded retain the white nature of the rough stone. Many sculptors enjoy this contrast effect as illustrated in this piece. How to Polish Alabaster Rough the job out with compressed air or electric chippers sanders, cutters, or rasps and Italian hand tools – whatever you use for detail. Then start with 120 to 200 grit sandpaper with water if necessary and progressively work down with finer grits to 600. Use waterproof grit papers. After you are satisfied that proportion and detail are well done, cerium or tin oxide with buffs are used to polish certain areas or the entire piece. Some people use a Zam stick or other favorite polishing compound. Good books are available to help you. Many sculptors use only wax, rosin or sealer on the sanded sur
