Alabaster - Alain Ellouz

THE STONE OF LIGHT

Alabaster is at the heart of Alain Ellouz Paris’ history and identity. Used since antiquity for its unique translucency, this millennia-old stone possesses an unmatched softness and depth.
Since 2005, we have revived alabaster’s noble legacy, transforming it into contemporary creations. Each block, carefully extracted, is sculpted and assembled in our atelier, unveiling its delicate veining and radiant luminosity. Through exclusive techniques, we have pushed the boundaries of this fragile material, making it a centerpiece of design and Haute Décoration.

La Maison

The workshop and our other materials

The Workshop

Located near Versailles, the Alain Ellouz Paris Workshop is far more than a mere creative space—it is a laboratory of innovation and excellence, dedicated to working with alabaster and rock crystal. This unique place unites our alabaster artisans, designers, and engineers, all driven by a shared ambition: to push the boundaries of the material, elevate light, and deliver unparalleled excellence to our clients.

Burnt Wood

Burnt wood reveals the raw power of fire and the elegance of craftsmanship. Its deep grain and matte, silvery reflections capture light with intensity. At Alain Ellouz Paris, it pairs with alabaster to elevate each creation with noble, timeless contrast.

Rock crystal

Rock crystal embodies the very essence of purity. Shaped by nature, it captures light without distortion, revealing brilliance and transparency.

Alabaster lies at the heart of Alain Ellouz Paris’s story and identity. This millennia-old stone, cherished for its unique translucency, possesses unmatched softness and depth. Since 2005, we have restored alabaster’s prestige by elevating it through contemporary creations. Each block, carefully extracted from our quarry, is sculpted and assembled in our workshop to reveal its delicate veins and vibrant light. Through our exclusive techniques, we have pushed the limits of this fragile material, making it a central element of design and high-end decoration.

WHAT IS ALABASTER?

Alabaster is a sedimentary rock primarily composed of hydrated calcium sulfate, more commonly known as gypsum. This fine, precious stone stands out for its smooth, velvety texture. Its natural formation results from the slow crystallization of gypsum in evaporative marine environments, giving it a wide variety of appearances—fluid or crystallized, translucent or semi-transparent, white or ochre—making each piece entirely unique.

A MILLENNIA-OLD HISTORY

The earliest alabaster objects were discovered in archaeological sites dating back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. In recent years, this once-prized stone has sometimes been overshadowed by marble, often appearing as Buddha figurines on market stalls. Since 2005, Alain Ellouz has restored alabaster’s strength and majesty, reintroducing it into the worlds of design and luxury.

A STONE OF LIGHT

One of alabaster’s most fascinating characteristics is its ability to filter light. Its unique translucency creates captivating plays of shadow and light, bringing warmth and poetry to any space. This quality makes it a favored material for Alain Ellouz in the creation of exceptional lighting and design pieces.

PRESERVING ALABASTER: A DAILY COMMITMENT

Twenty years ago, Alain Ellouz rediscovered alabaster—a magnificent stone neglected by designers. Since then, he has continually innovated to reestablish this precious material at the heart of art and design. This dedicated approach has transformed alabaster’s exploitation: instead of being reduced to plaster production, it is now used in high-end creations with strong added value. Today, Alain Ellouz has secured a significant portion of alabaster by acquiring stock for years to come, curbing unscrupulous operators who use the stone for copies and counterfeits. This concrete commitment helps preserve mountain resources by preventing intensive, destructive extraction while respecting their geological richness.

A RIGOROUS SELECTION

The translucent white alabaster with subtle veining used in our creations is rare. Its wide range of patterns—fluid or crystallized, white or ochre—and various transparency levels require experience and precision to compose harmonious ensembles. Highlighting the singularity of each piece is a unique expertise, specific to Alain Ellouz Paris.

A FRAGILE STONE MADE ETERNAL WITH STONELIGHT®

Naturally fragile, alabaster has a hardness comparable to that of a sugar cube. Long considered too delicate for certain applications, it remained underused in the design world. After years of research and development, Alain Ellouz Paris patented an exclusive technological innovation to make alabaster eternal: Stonelight®. The transparency and variations of alabaster, resulting from its crystallization process, make it naturally porous and delicate. Stonelight® uses twelve patented techniques to overcome these challenges. This innovation makes alabaster as strong as granite and as waterproof as glass. Its invisible shield preserves the natural feel and transparency of the stone while granting it the timeless durability of crystal. This exclusive treatment guarantees the longevity of each creation.

Warning: Many counterfeit alabaster lighting products are circulating in the market, leading to accidents, sometimes serious. Alabaster is a fragile material that requires specific treatment to ensure its strength. Only Alain Ellouz Paris masters the exclusive Stonelight® process. We disclaim any responsibility for copied products and their defects. All our designs are registered worldwide. Insisting on Alain Ellouz Paris authenticity is the only guarantee of quality and safety for your alabaster products.

ALAIN ELLOUZ AND ALABASTER: A REVOLUTION IN LUXURY INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE

At Alain Ellouz Paris, we have reinterpreted alabaster through creations of absolute purity, elevating its light and natural texture. Our alabaster artisans continually push the material’s limits, crafting unique lighting fixtures and art pieces that transcend trends and embody timeless elegance.

Alain Ellouz Paris Alabaster: The Stone of Light