What Are The Pros Of Going For An Alabaster Chess Set Over Its Rivals?
Monday, 21 June 2010 07:06 | 
Written by Walt Peterson |
Shopping for a chess set today can be quite confusing, as there are so many options. From the sizes of the board and pieces, to the materials they're made of - each one is truly unique. But if you want a set that can look quite stylish and traditional, go for an alabaster chess set. It's one of the most popular sets today for players, both casual and serious ones.
Shopping for a chess set today can be quite confusing, as there are so many options. From the sizes of the board and pieces, to the materials they're made of - each one is truly unique. But if you want a set that can look quite stylish and traditional, go for an alabaster chess set. It's one of the most popular sets today for players, both casual and serious ones.
Alabaster is a type of stone, gypsum to be exact, which has been used for carving ornaments, statues, altarpieces, and others for centuries now. A trip to the museum will tell you that. In addition, architects and decorators incorporate this material into their designs. A chess piece out of this stone can easily make for a great home or office decor when not being used for playing.
Simply, there are so many other things crafted from alabaster which you can find today. And most of them are decorative pieces. When being turned into chess pieces, they're crafted by hand. The entire process needs to be done with love and care, as the stone is somewhat delicate. Set in sandbags, the craftsman carefully uses chisels and fine sandpaper. It usually comes in white, yellow or pink shades. Veining may sometimes occur, making it marble-like.
However, because it's porous, the stone can be easily dyed. It's not unlikely for you to find chess pieces out of this material in blue, red, green, black brown, etc. The pieces may come in various designs - from contemporary to traditional. But many people like the Staunton style. It's the standard and most commonly-applied design worldwide.
Because of the delicateness of the material, it evidently comes with a steeper price tag. Just imagine the painstaking process each piece has to go through. And that's all 32 of them! But fret not, as the pieces come in a wide array of sizes. The smaller they are, the more affordable they get. Pieces as small as 3 inches are available, with more affordable price tags.
Chess pieces crafted from this stone, of course, go well with a board made out of the same material. Although it's possible to buy the pieces alone, it's more common to come across sets. Going for sets guarantees that the chess board is just the right size for the pieces. Boards out of alabaster come in a multitude of colors. Others also incorporate wood into the design, as framing.
Chess sets are available in various materials. There are those out of metal, usually brass. Some come crafted in marble. There are those out of wood. And of course there are those made out of plastic materials. Each one comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Your choice can depend on factors, such as the age of the player, level of skill, etc.
There's no denying that buying an alabaster chess set gives true value for your hard-earned money. They're elegant, classic and can stand as decorative pieces for your home or office. Because they're delicate, opting for something with an inbuilt storage is a smart move. Most especially if you got pets or kids living with you, which can knock them down.
Shopping for a chess set today can be quite confusing, as there are so many options. From the sizes of the board and pieces, to the materials they're made of - each one is truly unique. But if you want a set that can look quite stylish and traditional, go for an alabaster chess set. It's one of the most popular sets today for players, both casual and serious ones.
Alabaster is a type of stone, gypsum to be exact, which has been used for carving ornaments, statues, altarpieces, and others for centuries now. A trip to the museum will tell you that. In addition, architects and decorators incorporate this material into their designs. A chess piece out of this stone can easily make for a great home or office decor when not being used for playing.
Simply, there are so many other things crafted from alabaster which you can find today. And most of them are decorative pieces. When being turned into chess pieces, they're crafted by hand. The entire process needs to be done with love and care, as the stone is somewhat delicate. Set in sandbags, the craftsman carefully uses chisels and fine sandpaper. It usually comes in white, yellow or pink shades. Veining may sometimes occur, making it marble-like.
However, because it's porous, the stone can be easily dyed. It's not unlikely for you to find chess pieces out of this material in blue, red, green, black brown, etc. The pieces may come in various designs - from contemporary to traditional. But many people like the Staunton style. It's the standard and most commonly-applied design worldwide.
Because of the delicateness of the material, it evidently comes with a steeper price tag. Just imagine the painstaking process each piece has to go through. And that's all 32 of them! But fret not, as the pieces come in a wide array of sizes. The smaller they are, the more affordable they get. Pieces as small as 3 inches are available, with more affordable price tags.
Chess pieces crafted from this stone, of course, go well with a board made out of the same material. Although it's possible to buy the pieces alone, it's more common to come across sets. Going for sets guarantees that the chess board is just the right size for the pieces. Boards out of alabaster come in a multitude of colors. Others also incorporate wood into the design, as framing.
Chess sets are available in various materials. There are those out of metal, usually brass. Some come crafted in marble. There are those out of wood. And of course there are those made out of plastic materials. Each one comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Your choice can depend on factors, such as the age of the player, level of skill, etc.
There's no denying that buying an alabaster chess set gives true value for your hard-earned money. They're elegant, classic and can stand as decorative pieces for your home or office. Because they're delicate, opting for something with an inbuilt storage is a smart move. Most especially if you got pets or kids living with you, which can knock them down.
About the Author:
Find a wide collection of Alabaster chess sets or pick a Fantasy Chess set today! When you see these collectible chess sets, the beautiful and artistic creations will take your game to a whole new level!
