Marble vs. Alabaster: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Marble is a hard, crystalline metamorphic rock, while alabaster is a softer, translucent, fine-grained sedimentary gypsum or calcite.
Key Differences
Marble is a metamorphic rock formed from limestone or dolomite under high pressure and temperature. Alabaster, on the other hand, is a sedimentary rock made from gypsum or calcite, formed in cooler and less intense conditions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Marble is known for its hardness and durability, making it suitable for various construction and artistic uses. Alabaster is much softer and more easily carved, often used for intricate sculptures and decorative items.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Marble typically has a crystalline structure with veins of mineral impurities, giving it a unique pattern. Alabaster is known for its smooth texture and translucency, often with a milky or pearly appearance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Marble has been used throughout history in architecture and sculpture, famously in Greek and Roman art. Alabaster's softer nature makes it ideal for smaller, more detailed works, often used in medieval and ancient Egyptian art.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Due to its hardness, marble is more resistant to scratches and wear, but it's also vulnerable to acid. Alabaster is more delicate, easily scratched and affected by moisture, requiring careful handling.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Composition
Metamorphic, from limestone or dolomite
Sedimentary, from gypsum or calcite
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Artistic Use
Suitable for construction and sculpture
Ideal for intricate, detailed works
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Maintenance and Care
Resistant to scratches, sensitive to acid
Delicate, sensitive to scratches and moisture
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Marble and Alabaster Definitions
Marble
Formed from limestone or dolomite.
The marble statue was carved from a single block of dolomite marble.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Alabaster
Often used for small, intricate artworks.
Medieval artisans preferred alabaster for their delicate carvings.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Marble
Characterized by its veining and durability.
The kitchen countertops were made of durable, veined marble.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Alabaster
Exhibits a smooth texture and milky appearance.
The alabaster lampshade had a smooth, pearly surface.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Marble
A metamorphic rock formed by alteration of limestone or dolomite, often irregularly colored by impurities, and used especially in architecture and sculpture.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Alabaster
A fine-grained, translucent form of gypsum.
The alabaster vase glowed softly under the light.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Alabaster
Softer and easier to carve than marble.
The artist chose alabaster for his detailed sculpture due to its malleability.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Alabaster
Requires careful handling due to its softness.
The alabaster ornament was handled with care to avoid scratches.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Marble
Something resembling or suggesting metamorphic rock, as in being very hard, smooth, or cold
A heart of marble.
A brow of marble.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
Marbles (used with a sing. verb) Any of various games played with marbles.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
Marbles Slang Common sense; sanity
Completely lost his marbles after the stock market crash.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Alabaster
A fine-grained white or lightly-tinted variety of gypsum, used ornamentally.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Alabaster
(historical) A variety of calcite, translucent and sometimes banded.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
To mottle and streak (paper, for example) with colors and veins in imitation of marble.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Alabaster
Made of alabaster.
The crown is stored in an alabaster box with an onyx handle and a gold lock.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
Resembling metamorphic rock in consistency, texture, venation, color, or coldness.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Alabaster
Resembling alabaster: white, pale, translucent.
An ominous alabaster fog settled in the valley.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Alabaster
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
A small ball used in games, originally of marble but now usually of glass or ceramic.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Alabaster
A box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments, etc.; - so called from the stone of which it was originally made.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
Statues made from marble.
The Elgin Marbles were originally part of the temple of the Parthenon.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
(transitive) To cause (something to have) the streaked or swirled appearance of certain types of marble, for example by mixing viscous ingredients incompletely, or by applying paint or other colorants unevenly.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
(intransitive) To get or have the streaked or swirled appearance of certain types of marble, for example due to the incomplete mixing of viscous ingredients, or the uneven application of paint or other colorants.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
(transitive) To cause meat, usually beef, pork, or lamb, to be interlaced with fat so that its appearance resembles that of marble.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
A massive, compact limestone; a variety of calcite, capable of being polished and used for architectural and ornamental purposes. The color varies from white to black, being sometimes yellow, red, and green, and frequently beautifully veined or clouded. The name is also given to other rocks of like use and appearance, as serpentine or verd antique marble, and less properly to polished porphyry, granite, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
A thing made of, or resembling, marble, as a work of art, or record, in marble; or, in the plural, a collection of such works; as, the Arundel or Arundelian marbles; the Elgin marbles.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
A little ball of glass, marble, porcelain, or of some other hard substance, used as a plaything by children; or, in the plural, a child's game played with marbles.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
To stain or vein like marble; to variegate in color; as, to marble the edges of a book, or the surface of paper.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
A hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Marble
A hard crystalline metamorphic rock.
The marble floors added a touch of elegance to the lobby.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Marble
Used in architecture and sculpture.
The ancient Greeks built many of their sculptures using marble.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Marble
Requires maintenance to preserve its appearance.
To maintain its shine, the marble surface was regularly polished.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Where is marble commonly used?
Marble is widely used in construction, sculpture, and as a material for countertops and floors.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What is alabaster?
Alabaster is a soft, translucent sedimentary stone, typically gypsum or calcite.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What is marble?
Marble is a hard, crystalline metamorphic rock formed from limestone or dolomite.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can marble be used outdoors?
Yes, marble can be used outdoors but may require treatment to protect against weathering.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
How should alabaster be cared for?
Alabaster should be kept dry and cleaned gently to avoid scratches.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is alabaster easy to carve?
Yes, alabaster's softness makes it much easier to carve than marble.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What are the main uses of alabaster?
Alabaster is primarily used for intricate carvings, decorative items, and small sculptures.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
How durable is marble?
Marble is quite durable and resistant to scratching, but it can be affected by acids.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is alabaster more expensive than marble?
The cost varies, but generally, alabaster can be less expensive due to its softer nature.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can marble be polished to a high shine?
Yes, marble can be polished to achieve a high gloss finish.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Are there different colors of marble?
Yes, marble comes in a range of colors, depending on the minerals present during its formation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
How is marble formed?
Marble forms under high pressure and temperature conditions from limestone or dolomite.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What makes marble unique in appearance?
Marble's unique veining and crystalline appearance make it distinctive.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Are there different types of marble?
Yes, there are many types of marble, each with unique patterns and colors.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can alabaster be transparent?
Alabaster is translucent but not fully transparent, allowing light to pass through softly.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What are the historical uses of alabaster?
Historically, alabaster was used for statuary, small religious carvings, and decorative items.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can alabaster be repaired if it gets damaged?
Alabaster can be repaired, but due to its softness, repairs may be noticeable.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is alabaster resistant to weathering?
No, alabaster is quite sensitive to weathering and is better suited for indoor use.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What types of finishes are available for marble?
Marble can be finished in various ways, including polished, honed, or brushed.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
How does light interact with alabaster?
Light can softly diffuse through alabaster, giving it a warm, glowing appearance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Hifza Nasir
Shumaila Saeed
