Today, the center of the alabaster trade is found in Florence, Italy. Alabaster naturally features such qualities as translucency and a fine, buffed look of satin luster. Sometimes to change the translucent look of alabaster, a brand new look is created by gently immersing it in water, then the alabaster is heated slowly and to an exact temperature. This often gives alabaster the look of a fine semi-translucent marble called Marmo di Castellino. Differences in the way alabaster is gently heated creates the sophisticated look of a denser and finer, pure white appearance. This is the type of alabaster often featured in today's decorative alabaster lamps. Alabaster comes from either a white or tinted fine grain of gypsum, or it can also be formed from a type of calcite. It can either be left in its pure white state or sometimes it's also gilded and banded to create a new, enhanced and more decorative look.