Calcite vs. Alabaster

Calcitenoun

(geology) a very widely distributed crystalline form of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, found as limestone, chalk and marble

Calcitenoun

a common mineral consisting of crystallized calcium carbonate; a major constituent of limestone

Calcite

Calcite is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The Mohs scale of mineral hardness, based on scratch hardness comparison, defines value 3 as .

Alabasternoun

A fine-grained white or lightly-tinted variety of gypsum, used ornamentally.

Alabasternoun

(historical) A variety of calcite, translucent and sometimes banded.

Alabasternoun

An off-white colour, like that of alabaster.

Alabasteradjective

Made of alabaster

Alabasteradjective

Resembling alabaster: white, pale, translucent.

Alabasternoun

A compact variety or sulphate of lime, or gypsum, of fine texture, and usually white and translucent, but sometimes yellow, red, or gray. It is carved into vases, mantel ornaments, etc.

Alabasternoun

A box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments, etc.; - so called from the stone of which it was originally made.

Alabasternoun

a compact fine-textured usually white gypsum used for carving

Alabasternoun

a hard compact kind of calcite

Alabasternoun

a very light white

Alabaster

Alabaster is a mineral or rock that is soft, often used for carving, and is processed for plaster powder. Archaeologists and the stone processing industry use the word differently from geologists.