Adaptable and Durable

By Kate Parrott

Soapstone is a metamorphic rock composed of roughly 50 percent talc and 50 percent magnetite. The stone has a rich history, dating back to approximately 4.6 billion years ago, when the first plants took hold to the earth. Soapstone is an amazingly versatile material, with a softness suitable for carving and the durability to withstand extreme heat conditions.

More Info Quarry Locations: North America: Canada, United States South America: Brazil Europe: Italy Africa: Egypt Asia: China, India, Pakistan Applications: Architectural accessories Interior accessories Countertops Fireplaces Flooring Sculpture and carving Appropriate Finishes: Honed Tumbled

Talc, the softest mineral on earth, accounts for soapstone's flexibility and ease of use in sculpture. Talc is commonly used in manufacturing cosmetics and in everyday items such as toothpaste, baby powder and chewing gum. Magnetite makes the stone tough and durable. These qualities together create a substance that is incredibly adaptable to a variety of uses, including inlaid designs, sculpture, fireplaces, sinks, kitchen countertops, tile flooring and stoves. These qualities also make the stone highly durable, as it can withstand heat, humidity, bitter cold, acid rain and a plethora of pollutants.

There are two classifications of soapstone: artistic and architectural. Artistic soapstone has a high talc content, making it smooth and soft for carving, while architectural soapstone has a lower talc content, making it dense and durable for everyday use for kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces and other living areas.

Soapstone is appropriately named, as the material bears a remarkable resemblance to a bar of hand soap. As for tactile characteristics, the stone offers a dry, almost slippery feel when touched, because of the presence of talc.

Quarries
Soapstone is largely quarried in the United States, namely in the New England regions of Vermont and Massachusetts. Deposits of soapstone can be found in nearly every state of the Atlantic Slope, but no commercial products have been obtained west of the Mississippi River. Outside the United States, soapstone is quarried in Canada, China and Egypt, Brazil and India.

In some areas, notably in New York, soapstone occurs in foliated or fibrous forms, which prove valuable as a filler or makeweight in the manufacture of paper. This variety is known as fibrous talc or mineral pulp.

Colors
Soapstone's main mineral deposits — talc, chlorite, dolomite and magnesite — account for the stone's smooth, grayish-brown color, which also has light veining throughout. Soapstone can be found in shades of blue-gray, green-gray and charcoal gray.

Soapstone's color can change dramatically, whether by force of nature or manmade process. When the stone is cut, it oxidizes, making the shades of light gray darker. With the application of mineral oil, the recommended care for many soapstone products, the stone will darken tenfold.

Applications
Soapstone is a very dense, non-porous stone, making it impervious to stains and chemical infiltration. Therefore, it is an ideal surface for sinks, countertops and even floors. Soapstone is also heat neutral, making it a great surface for kitchens, where red-hot cookware can be placed on it without fear of scorching. Because of the stone's high durability, it is often employed as countertops in labs, where a variety of chemicals could come into contact with the surface without resulting in any damage.

Soapstone's heat storage and heat conductivity also make it an ideal material for fireplaces and stoves. Because the stone radiates and holds even warmth, it is efficient as a liner for fireplaces. It is also commonly used for sculpture and inlaid architectural design.

With its unique texture and appearance, soapstone is swiftly becoming one of the premier stone choices for architects and designers. In the United States and abroad, the stone is used more widely than ever before for items such as balusters, stair treads, windowsills and island tops.

Interesting Facts
Soapstone has been used around the world for various items for thousands of years. Three thousand years ago, Chinese artists were working with the stone; some of the relics still survive today.

Soapstone was also used by the Indians, Afghans, Egyptians, Minoans and in ancient Iran. The Inuit and Vikings also used this beautiful stone for carvings, bowls, cooking slabs and other objects.

The oldest known soapstone artifact dates back to 7,000 B.C., and was found in Finland. It is a club with an elk's head carved into it, used for ceremonial rituals.

• Return to table of contents

www.buildingstonemagazine.com

Building Stone Magazine
©2007 by Building Stone Institute
www.buildingstoneinstitute.org
All rights reserved

Web Site by:
Lionheart Publishing, Inc.
506 Roswell Street, Suite 220, Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: 770-431-0867 | Fax: 770-432-6969
lpi@lionhrtpub.com
www.lionhrtpub.com