How is Alabaster shaped?
Alabaster can be intricately carved, but larger pieces of alabaster are usually worked more like wood than like conventional stone. It is more art than science, each stonecutter creating a unique piece after seeing the characteristics of each stone. Once the alabaster is shaped, the piece is sanded. Four different grades of sandpaper are used ranging from very rough to very fine. In the final sanding, steel wool leaves the sensuously smooth surface that is so attractive. Finally, the piece sprayed with a coat of polyurethane to close the pores and prevent surface deterioration. Sometimes a stain is added to shade the alabaster.
Alabaster can be intricately carved, but larger pieces of alabaster are usually worked more like wood than conventional stone. It is more art than science, each stonecutter creating a unique piece after seeing the characteristics of each stone. Once the alabaster is shaped, the piece is sanded. Four different grades of sandpaper are used ranging from very rough to very fine. In the final sanding, steel wool leaves the sensuously smooth surface that is so attractive. Finally, the piece is sprayed with a coat of polyurethane to close the pores and prevent surface deterioration. Sometimes a stain is added to shade the alabaster.
