Alabaster stone – properties, virtues & benefits
In this article, you’ll discover the properties and uses of alabaster stone, a white, translucent sedimentary rock. Since ancient times, it has been used for sculpture, architecture and decorative objects due to its soft texture, which enables the creation of unique luminous and textured effects. Because of these qualities, it is highly prized for works of art and interior design elements.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ALBÂTRE
- Chakra: Crown.
- Properties: Purification, Calm, SPirituality.
- Astrology: /
- Zodiac: Virgo.
- Elements: Earth, Air.
- Colors: White, cream, beige, pale Pink.
- Hardness: 2-3 on the Mohs scale.
- Chemical Formula: CaCO3 (calcium carbonate).
- Associated god: None in particular.
PIERRE ALBÂTRE – HIS HISTORY
Since its discovery in Iraq several years ago, alabaster stone has been recognized for its beauty and ease of use. Archaeological excavations at several sites have uncovered alabaster stone objects, such as vases and figurines, dating back to millennia BC in Mesopotamia. Egyptian pharaohs also used this stone to make sacred vases used to receive the organs of deceased pharaohs, and examples of these vases are on display in museums such as the Soane Museum in London.
Alabaster stone is remarkable for its transparency, which makes it possible to create small windows when cut finely. This property was used in medieval Italian churches and even insPired the construction of a small windowless temple, lit by daylight through the stones. The Assyrians, Etruscans and Greeks also used alabaster stone for crafts, and the French gave it its current name “Pierre albâtre” in the 12th century.
Alabaster stone was widely used in Europe to create works of art, reaching its peak during the Renaissance and modern periods. It was used for the stained glass windows in St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls in Rome, allowing light to pass through while decorating the windows with color. However, this stone can become opaque due to climatic conditions, prompting the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles to install a cooling system to preserve the transparency of alabaster stone tiles.
.
ALBATRA STONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION
In contrast to marble, which has to be exhumed and eroded from the surface, alabaster stone forms raPidly on the surface, in a matter of decades or centuries, and can be found in caves or excavations. It forms by breaking through the limestone and ferruginous layers, seePing into the earth and being transported by water, loaded with whatever it can carry from its starting point to its destination in the cave. Calcite dissolves in water acidified by carbon dioxide to form calcium bicarbonate, which decomposes to form carbon dioxide and insoluble sodium carbonate, which crystallizes as calcite. Water droplets on the ceiling form stalactites, while those on the floor become stalagmites, and when the latter come together, they form a column and cover all the walls and floor of the cave. Caves are very popular with tourists for their colors and shapes, but they were also exploited in ancient times and served as prehistoric shelters a very long time ago. They can be found in all countries where limestone is found, particularly in southern Europe.
.
There are different types of alabaster, including calcareous alabaster, which has several names such as onyx marble of the ancients, Egyptian, Biblical or Oriental alabaster. It is an acid-reactive calcium carbonate crystal that is rarely white, but can range in color from honey-yellow to dark red. Its crystalline, striated fracture gives it a semi-transparent appearance, as light can pass more easily through the stone. Marble, on the other hand, has numerous internal lamellae that do not allow light to pass through. Alabaster stone, when well polished, can resemble marble.
Gypsum alabaster, also known as alabastrite to the ancients, is extracted from English and Tuscan quarries. It is a highly resistant species of gypsum (calcium sulfate) that is white in color with a grainy or dull fracture. It is used indoors as an ornamental stone, but is not resistant to water or fire, which turns it into plaster.
TYPES OF ALBATRA STONE
There are several types of alabaster, including plain alabaster, which comes in different varieties, such as Aracena limestone, which is found in Andalusia and is white with aurora yellow features. There’s also antique white limestone, oriental alabaster, which is white with hints of russet, and Sienna alabaster, which is almost transparent with a honey-yellow color.
Veined or flowered alabaster, also known as the onyx marble of the ancients, is available in several types. Malaga’s is wax-yellow in color, while in Sicily there are four different types, each with its own color and veining characteristics. In Paris, veined alabaster is fawn-colored with dirty white veins.
Spotted alabaster is found in Languedoc and is reddish-brown in color with spots of various sizes.
Alabastrites are another variety of alabaster. Antique, which comes from Alabaster in Egypt, is milky white and is used for perfume containers. In Italy, there are three types of alabastrite, each with its own color and translucency characteristics. That from the island of Gozo, near Malta, is highly translucent with yellow and white colors. That from Alsace is whitish in color, while that from Moselle is brighter.
ALBETRA STONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES
PERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY
The stone we’re talking about here takes its name from the ancient Egyptian goddess Bast, dePicted in the form of a lioness and placed above vases made from it. It is widely used in lithotherapy to help cope with change or the involuntary loss of loved ones. It helps focus on the positive and facilitates forgiveness, while offering moral strength to overcome family or social resentments.
ALBATHING ON THE PHYSICAL LEVEL
The stone discussed here has many beneficial properties in lithotherapy. It is beneficial for people with heart problems, fatigue and for the regeneration of new cells, as well as relieving chronic pain. It can also help improve digestion and swallowing. To benefit from its effects, we recommend wearing the stone as a necklace or bracelet. Gypsum, meanwhile, is known to protect against fractures by strengthening bones and promoting growth in children.
ALBATER STONE – CLEAN AND RECHARGE
Sensitive to heat, which turns it into plaster, it should not be placed near heat sources. To clean it, use a cloth dampened with Marseille soap. If the stains don’t disappear, use turpentine and rub without pressing too hard to avoid scratching. Rinse with soapy water to remove the grease. Finally, to protect the stone, you can apply varnish or microcrystalline wax, the same used for marble.
WHERE DOES THE NAME ALBÂTRE COME FROM?
The name “alabaster” comes from the Latin “alabaster”, meaning “ointment vase” or “ointment stone”. The name refers to the use of alabaster in the manufacture of containers for cosmetics and perfumes in ancient times.
WHICH CHAKRA DOES THE ALBSTER ACT ON?
Alabaster is often associated with the crown chakra, which is located at the top of the head and is considered the center of sPirituality and higher consciousness in some esoteric and sPiritual traditions. Using alabaster during meditation or sPiritual practice can help stimulate and balance the crown chakra.
WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH ALBERTA?
Alabaster is traditionally associated with the zodiac sign Virgo. However, it is also associated with the sign Gemini due to its property of promoting communication and mental clarity.
ALBSTONE SUMMARY
Albaster stone is a semi-precious stone used in lithotherapy for its healing properties. It is often used to help relieve muscular pain and tension, as well as to stimulate blood circulation. It is also known to promote inner peace and relaxation, helPing to reduce stress and anxiety. Alabaster stone is often used in meditation to help calm the mind and promote concentration. In general, alabaster stone is considered to help balance energies in the body and promote an overall sense of well-being.
