Alabaster, Marble, And The Game Of High End Chess
Since marble has been the material of choice for chess sets crafted for kings and queens throughout the ages, its fairly easy to understand why this would be the perfect ideal in the average persons mind when contemplating a high end or luxury chess set. The historic look of chess has always been a set crafted in natural polished marble. When you need even more dignity and style, then alabaster is used, as it is a similar material, only it has a slightly more noticeable sheen and luster to it.
The first thing you should know about a marble chess set is that it has specific cleansing instructions. You can’t just use soapy water as this will cause it to discolor rather quickly. What you have to understand is that marble is a chemical base in an acid base relationship, and so when it comes in contact with anything which is acidic, such as commercial soaps, it will have a chemical reaction that will take the form of the material discoloring. Instead clean your set with just warm water and a soft sponge. Be certain to avoid harsh billow pads or other abrasive surfaces that can scratch the polished surface of your pieces.
Alabaster is even more delicate when it comes to cleaning, than marble is. With alabaster you should avoid using water altogether, as it can discolor the surface of the stone. Instead just wipe down the set gently with a soft rag or paper towel, and dust it regularly. Housing the set in a smoke free environment will also help to maintain the beauty and luster of the stone. Another substance that can be used is borax, which can help to remove layers of grime or dirt. As a final safety valve you can also use a small amount of nail polish remover to try and touch up stain that may break out on the surface of the piece.
One of the most common ways for marble and alabaster chess sets to be damaged is with a simple scratch, which can stretch across the perfect glistening surface of the stone, completely ruining the visual beauty of the piece. As such you should be careful about any material that comes in contact with your set, and ensure that you don’t use anything abrasive or harsh to clean or handle your pieces and board.
Another common problem with these sets is chipping. Even though they are made from natural stone, which is intuitively very hard, the internal structure of these stones is actually quite delicate, and can be chipped or cracked without much effort. You should always treat these up-scale sets with due respect and care, and do your best to avoid some of these damages that can occur.
