Introducing myself: Helen C.-Natural faults

[Helen Carpiaux <helaux@zzzzzzzz>]

Hello,

This is my first email to the list.  I have a question to ask in addition to
introducing myself.

I am an amateur carver.  I started working in wood 4 years ago and have
recently added stone to my list of carving mediums.  My background and
professional career is in Art and Advertising.  I work in a two dimensional
format all day and find carving energizes my creativity.  Working in 3D is a
very different way of thinking.

My question is a follows:

I'm working on a piece of Alabaster that has a natural fault or fissure
containing crumbly material (dirt and whatnot).  I need to keep this area as
part of my sculpture.  The fault is very thin and shallow and runs for about
3 inches to an outside edge.  NOT completely through from one side to
another.

My question is, do I need to stabilize this area or can I leave it as is?

I was considering using cyanoacrylate glue (ZAP) to bind all the crumbly
material and stone together.  Does anyone know if this type of glue will
have any adverse effects on or discolor the stone?

Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Helen C.