Alabaster is one of the most cherished natural stones among sculptors and artisans around the world—and for good reason. Its noble character and exclusivity make it a unique material for creating pieces with real soul. Thanks to its properties, it is also very easy to work with, whether you’re an experienced sculptor or a complete beginner, although it does require precision and care.
At Arastone, we have spent more than half a century dedicated to extracting and transforming this stone, offering top-quality alabaster blocks for carving.
Today, we’d like to share some of the most common mistakes people make when working with alabaster and show you how to avoid them, so your creative process becomes safer and your results more professional and long-lasting.
How to Choose the Best Alabaster for Sculpting
Before you start carving, it’s essential to choose the right stone. Not all types of alabaster are the same: its purity, translucency, and the direction of its veining can directly influence both the carving process and the final outcome.
If you’re planning to buy alabaster for sculpting, pay attention to key factors such as:
- Its level of translucency
- The quality and texture of the material
- The supplier’s expertise
At Arastone, we carefully select each piece from our own alabaster quarries in Aragón, where we have been working since 1965. If you’d like, you can visit our facilities, sawmill, and factory to see our work firsthand and receive expert guidance for your project. We’d be delighted to welcome you!
Common Mistakes When Working With Alabaster
Carving alabaster is an art that demands technique, sensitivity, and a good amount of patience.
Here are the most frequent mistakes people make when working with this material:
1. Ignoring the Direction of the Veins
One of the most common errors among beginners is overlooking the orientation of the veins. These natural lines are points where the stone is more likely to fracture, so carving against the direction of the veins can lead to cracks or breaks. It’s best to work with them, not against them.
Before you start carving, hold the block up to the light to identify the veins. Make the main cuts following their direction, and use finer tools in the veined areas. This way, the stone responds better and maintains its structural integrity.
2. Using the Wrong Tools
If we compare alabaster vs. marble or attend to the differences between alabaster and onyx, one thing becomes very clear: alabaster is significantly softer. While this softness makes it easier to carve, it doesn’t mean that just any tool will do.
Using chisels or points designed for marble or granite can cause the stone to crack, as these tools tend to be too aggressive.
Avoid this mistake by using sharp steel tools with soft angles, and combine hand carving with fine-grit burrs or files. When working by hand, focus on precision—don’t apply excessive force, and let the tool cut rather than strike.
3. Applying Too Much Pressure During Polishing
Polishing alabaster is a delicate but essential step that enhances its natural beauty. Many beginners make the mistake of pressing too hard or using sandpaper that’s too coarse, which can create deep scratches or dull spots that are difficult to fix.
The key to polishing alabaster is to go slowly. Start with fine-grit sandpaper and progress gradually until the surface is smooth. Finish with a cotton cloth or a special wax to bring out its inner glow.
4. Overlooking Its Ideal Conservation Conditions
If you plan to incorporate alabaster pieces into your projects, remember that temperature, light, and humidity all affect how well the stone will age.
To preserve its beauty over time, it’s best to keep alabaster indoors, away from intense heat sources or abrupt environmental changes. This will help maintain the warmth, elegance, and luminosity that make this stone so special.
5. Failing to Properly Plan the Design
Another common mistake is starting to carve without a clear plan, which can result in wasted material or insufficient volume for the intended design.
To avoid this, create preliminary sketches and mark the main lines of your sculpture directly on the block. This allows you to make the most of the stone and reduces the risk of fractures.
Start Your Next Project with Arastone Alabaster
The creative process of carving alabaster is a truly artistic and sensory experience. Every strike, every vein, and every reflection of light becomes part of the final piece. But achieving exceptional results requires an exceptional material.
At Arastone, we offer superior-quality alabaster for your sculptural or architectural projects. With three generations of experience, we’re recognized leaders in producing and providing technical guidance on this unique stone.
We can help you choose the most suitable format, advise you on handling the material, and offer tailor-made solutions for each project.
If you’re thinking of buying alabaster for carving, trust those who know it best: choose Arastone.