Alabaster Lights

Alabaster is a soft, fine-grained natural stone. Cut thin it is translucent, which is why it has been used for lamps and light shades for centuries. Most decorative alabaster is a form of gypsum, and every piece has its own veining and colour.

No. Both are pale natural stones with veining, but marble is much harder and lets very little light through. Alabaster is softer and translucent, so it glows when lit. That glow is the reason alabaster is used for lighting and marble mostly is not.

Natural alabaster is carved stone, so every shade is unique and the light is warm and slightly amber. Alabaster glass is glass made to imitate the stone, with a milky, faintly veined finish that is identical from shade to shade. Glass is lighter, easier to clean and less expensive. Use the Material filter (Stone or Glass) to see each group.

Because it is natural stone. The veining, clouding and colour vary from piece to piece and even across a single shade, so no two are the same. This is part of what makes alabaster special, and it is not a fault.

We do not recommend natural alabaster in bathrooms or wet areas. The stone is soft and absorbs moisture, which can mark it over time, and most alabaster fittings are rated IP20 for dry indoor areas only. For a bathroom, choose an alabaster glass light with a suitable IP rating.

Turn the light off and let it cool, then dust it with a dry, soft cloth or a soft brush. Do not use water, cleaning sprays or polish on natural alabaster. Alabaster glass can be wiped with a slightly damp cloth.

Use an LED globe in warm white, 2700K to 3000K. LED stays cool, which is better for the stone, and warm white brings out the honey tones. Check the product page for the globe base, which is usually G9 or GU10, or an integrated LED.

Many are. Pair a dimmable LED globe with a compatible dimmer and the stone will glow softly at low levels. Lights with built-in LEDs list their dimming compatibility on the product page.

Alabaster is a soft stone, so it can scratch or chip if it is knocked or dropped. Once installed it is very durable. Handle the shade with care during installation and avoid abrasive cleaning.

It depends on the piece. Our alabaster glass lights are mostly in stock. Natural alabaster is made in small batches, so some pieces are on pre-order and others are made to order in Europe with a 12 to 16 week lead time. Each product page shows its current availability.