Soapstone 101

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October 9, 2019
Soapstone Introduction 1
Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio De Janeiro Brazil is made of Soapstone

What is Soapstone?

Soapstone provides a soft, velvety surface with a number of amazing properties, and great durability when properly cared for.

This natural stone is truly an ageless beauty – a stone to build a relationship with throughout the years.

Here we want to highlight some facts and misconceptions about soapstone.

 

Soapstone Introduction 3
Soapstone slab in Primestones® showroom

History of Soapstone

Soapstone is a metamorphic rock, which means that it was formed through heat and pressure over thousands of years. It is composed primarily of talc with a variety of other soft minerals.

From a geological standpoint, soapstone is a family of stones rather than one specific thing.

Soapstone Introduction 4
The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Properties of Soapstone

Soapstone is soft. Due to its talc content, the surface can be scratched easily, such as with a key, for example. However, this can be seen as an advantage, as small blemishes can be easily fixed with sandpaper by the owners themselves.

There are a number of reasons why soapstone is a wonderful option for a kitchen or bathroom.

The dominant colors of this stone range from gray to black, which convey a modern, timeless, minimalist character; it can be used as rustic or contemporary accents depending on the combination of colors and design of the space.

Soapstone Introduction 2 1
Without mineral oil (left), with mineral oil (right)

Care and Cleaning

Thanks to its density soapstone doesnʼt require sealing. Though you donʼt have to do anything else to it, there are options to apply a mineral oil or wax application to protect and enhance the color. Untreated, the soft grey color and the matte finish give the surface a rather cozy look. When treated, the mineral oil gives it darker, richer grey tones and a rather glossy, modern finish. As mentioned earlier, it is important to say that nothing penetrates the surface of soapstone, which means the oil or wax treatment has to be reapplied depending on the usage.

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