Alabaster vs. Ivory — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 11, 2024
Alabaster is a soft, translucent mineral often used in sculpture and decor, known for its smooth texture and white hue. Ivory, derived from animal tusks and teeth, is denser and has a creamy color with a distinct grain.
Difference Between Alabaster and Ivory
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Alabaster is a mineral, specifically a form of gypsum, cherished for its translucence and fine grain, making it a popular choice for ornamental works and sculptures. Its whiteness and ability to be carved into intricate designs have made it a favored material throughout history. In contrast, ivory comes from the tusks and teeth of animals, such as elephants and walruses, and is valued for its smooth texture, durability, and the slight natural warmth of its color. Its use ranges from piano keys and jewelry to traditional carvings.
While alabaster is relatively soft, rating about 2 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making it easy to carve, it is also more prone to wear and damage. On the other hand, ivory is harder and more durable, with a Mohs hardness rating of around 2.5 to 3, which allows for the creation of detailed and lasting pieces, but also contributes to its historical overexploitation and the current ethical and legal issues surrounding its use.
Alabaster, being a common mineral, is more accessible and environmentally friendly, reducing the ecological impact associated with its extraction compared to ivory, whose sourcing from animals has led to significant ecological and conservation concerns, including the endangerment of species such as elephants.
The appearance of alabaster can vary from pure white to streaked with reddish or brownish colors due to impurities, and it may appear almost translucent in thin slices. Ivory, while generally creamy or yellowish in color, features a unique cross-hatch pattern known as Schreger lines, distinguishing it from synthetic imitations and other materials.
Comparison Chart
Source
Mineral (gypsum or calcite)
Animal tusks and teeth
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Hardness
Soft (Mohs scale: ~2)
Slightly harder (Mohs scale: 2.5-3)
Color
Typically white, can have color impurities
Creamy white to yellowish, with grain
Translucence
Translucent quality, especially in thin slices
Generally opaque, but can show some depth
Usage
Sculpture, ornamental objects
Carvings, piano keys, jewelry
Environmental Impact
Lower, more sustainable
High due to ethical and conservation issues
Durability
More prone to wear and damage
More durable and resistant to damage
Historical Use
Ancient sculptures, architectural details
Artifacts, tools, decorative items
Ethical Concerns
Minimal
Significant, linked to wildlife conservation
Compare with Definitions
Alabaster
A fine-grained mineral used for sculpture and decorative items.
The museum's new exhibit features an exquisite alabaster vase from ancient Egypt.
Ivory
Hard material from tusks and teeth of animals.
The antique chess set was made of genuine ivory, dating back centuries.
Alabaster
Often white but can have color variations.
The alabaster sculpture had subtle reddish streaks, adding to its beauty.
Ivory
Creamy color with a distinctive grain pattern.
The ivory carving was notable for its smooth finish and warm, creamy hue.
Alabaster
Easy to carve due to its softness.
Artists appreciate alabaster for its ease of carving into intricate designs.
Ivory
Used in various luxury and artistic items.
Ivory piano keys are prized for their tactile feel and aesthetic appeal.
Alabaster
Known for its translucence and softness.
The alabaster lampshade casts a warm, diffused light in the room.
Ivory
Subject to ethical and conservation concerns.
The sale of ivory items is heavily regulated to protect endangered species.
Alabaster
Sustainable and environmentally friendly material.
Using alabaster for decorative items is a more eco-conscious choice compared to other materials.
Ivory
Durable, but requires ethical sourcing.
Modern ivory items often come from sustainable or synthetic sources to avoid harm to wildlife.
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.
Ivory
Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mammals is the same, regardless of the species of origin.
Alabaster
A dense, translucent, white or tinted fine-grained gypsum.
Ivory
A hard creamy-white substance composing the main part of the tusks of an elephant, walrus, or narwhal, often (especially formerly) used to make ornaments and other articles
A dagger with an ivory handle
Alabaster
A variety of hard calcite, translucent and sometimes banded.
Ivory
The creamy-white colour of ivory
An ivory silk blouse
Alabaster
A pale yellowish pink to yellowish gray.
Ivory
A hard, smooth, yellowish-white substance composed primarily of dentin that forms the tusks of the elephant.
Alabaster
A fine-grained white or lightly-tinted variety of gypsum, used ornamentally.
Ivory
A similar substance forming the tusks or teeth of certain other mammals, such as the walrus.
Alabaster
(historical) A variety of calcite, translucent and sometimes banded.
Ivory
A tusk, especially an elephant's tusk.
Alabaster
(color) An off-white colour, like that of alabaster.
Ivory
An article made of ivory.
Alabaster
Made of alabaster.
The crown is stored in an alabaster box with an onyx handle and a gold lock.
Ivory
A substance resembling ivory.
Alabaster
Resembling alabaster: white, pale, translucent.
An ominous alabaster fog settled in the valley.
Ivory
A pale or grayish yellow to yellowish white.
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.
Ivory
(Music) Piano keys.
Alabaster
A box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments, etc.; - so called from the stone of which it was originally made.
Ivory
(Games) Dice.
Alabaster
A compact fine-textured usually white gypsum used for carving
Ivory
(Slang) The teeth.
Alabaster
A hard compact kind of calcite
Ivory
Composed or constructed of ivory.
Alabaster
A very light white
Ivory
Of a pale or grayish yellow to yellowish white.
Ivory
(uncountable) The hard white form of dentin which forms the tusks of elephants, walruses and other animals.
Ivory
A creamy white color, the color of ivory.
Ivory
Something made from or resembling ivory.
Ivory
The teeth.
Ivory
The keys of a piano.
To tickle the ivories
Ivory
(slang) A white person.
Ivory
(informal) A die object bearing numbers, thrown in games of chance.
Ivory
Made of ivory.
Ivory
Resembling or having the colour of ivory.
Ivory
The hard, white, opaque, fine-grained substance constituting the tusks of the elephant. It is a variety of dentine, characterized by the minuteness and close arrangement of the tubes, as also by their double flexure. It is used in manufacturing articles of ornament or utility.
Ivory
The tusks themselves of the elephant, etc.
Ivory
Any carving executed in ivory.
Ivory
Teeth; as, to show one's ivories.
Ivory
A hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
Ivory
A shade of white the color of bleached bones
Common Curiosities
How can you distinguish ivory from similar materials?
Genuine ivory can be identified by its creamy color and characteristic Schreger lines, visible in cross-section.
Is it legal to buy and sell ivory?
The legality of buying and selling ivory varies by country and often involves strict regulations to prevent illegal trade and protect endangered species.
Why is ivory controversial?
Ivory is controversial due to the ethical and conservation issues associated with elephant poaching and the endangerment of species.
Are there alternatives to ivory?
Yes, there are synthetic alternatives to ivory, such as plastics and resins, designed to mimic its appearance without the ethical implications.
Is ivory still used in piano keys?
Modern pianos typically use plastic or other synthetic materials for keys, although some antique pianos have ivory keys.
What is alabaster used for?
Alabaster is primarily used for sculptures, ornamental objects, and decorative architectural elements due to its softness and translucency.
What are the ethical considerations of using ivory?
Ethical considerations include the impact on elephant populations, the role of poaching in species decline, and the illegal trade of ivory.
Can alabaster be colored?
Alabaster is usually white but can have natural streaks of color due to impurities; it can also be artificially dyed.
How should alabaster objects be cared for?
Alabaster should be dusted gently and kept away from moisture to prevent damage, as it is softer and more porous than other materials.
How do environmental impacts compare between alabaster and ivory?
Alabaster has a lower environmental impact due to its mineral origin and abundance, whereas ivory's sourcing from animals raises significant ecological and ethical concerns.
What is the difference in hardness between alabaster and ivory?
Alabaster is softer with a Mohs hardness of about 2, while ivory is slightly harder, with a Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 3.
Can alabaster be translucent?
Yes, alabaster can be somewhat translucent, especially when carved thinly, allowing light to pass through.
How is alabaster mined?
Alabaster is quarried from the earth, often using methods that minimize damage to the environment and the material itself.
Are there any regulations on alabaster trade?
While there are general mining regulations, alabaster does not face the same level of trade restrictions as ivory, due to its inorganic nature and abundance.
How can I ensure that my ivory purchase is ethical?
To ensure ethical purchasing, look for ivory from legal and sustainable sources, such as pre-ban antiques or certified synthetic alternatives.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
