What is Soapstone?
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock. It is primarily made of talc, which gives its silky “soapy” feel. It also contains varying amounts of chlorite, magnetite, mica, tremolite, quartz, and iron compounds. Although soapstone is resistant to heat and acids, it is very easily cut with a knife which is a consideration when choosing a kitchen countertop material. Soapstone is gray or green with a smooth matte finish.
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock. There are two different materials popularly called soapstone. The first being Talc, the softest mineral on earth, mostly used in the manufacturing of cosmetics, refractory materials, sculptures, and everyday items such as toothpaste, baby powder and even chewing gum. What we manufacture at M. Teixeira Soapstone is an alternate material known as steatite. The rock steatite (also called soapstone) is the material we use for our countertops, sinks, masonry heaters, flooring, and many other architectural applications. Steatite was also used to “coat” the famous “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Steatite is composed of several minerals, but the most abundant is talc. Steatite, because of its additives, is harder than talc, and hence suitable for the applications cited above. Soapstone (steatite) in its initial state only comes in shades of gray, unlike talc, which is available in a variety of colors. This naturally quarried stone is sof
Although Soapstone comes from all over the world, it is primarily derived from Brazil, China, and India. Some Soapstone comes from Australia, Canada, and Germany as well. Each area has its own unique beauty and colors. Soapstone, which on the hardness scale is rated at one, compared to a diamond, which is ten, is nonetheless quite hard. It is also non-porous so it will not stain, like granite or marble. Water can not penetrate it, nor will it tear apart from freezing. Quarried like Granite and Marble, Soapstone is a steatite stone, with its primary components being magnetite, dolomite, chlorite, and talc. It ranges in age from 300 to 400 million years old. True Soapstone is inert. Alkalis and acids, which affect granite, marble, and slate, do not affect Soapstone. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOUR SOAPSTONE IS REAL? To determine if the piece that you have in your collection is true Soapstone, and not resin made from a casting mold there are two simple tests that you can conduct. To determine if
