Soapstone is a unique and versatile stone. Being immune to virtually all acids and alkali substances, has made this stone an ideal choice for kitchen counters and bar tops.
GROUP |
Metamorphic |
COMMON ROCK-FORMING MINERAL GROUP |
Siliceous |
COMPOSITION |
Steatite, magnetite, talc, chlorite; dolomite may be present with other accessory minerals. Clay minerals may also be present in some varieties. |
HARDNESS |
Soft |
MOHS' SCALE |
1 - 3 |
POROSITY % |
0.5 - 5.0 |
ABSORPTION % |
0.2 |
WEATHERING
CHARACTERISTICS |
Excellent weather resistant qualities. |
TENDENCIES |
It has a low resistance to abrasion. |
COLORS |
Light bluish gray to grayish green. |
FINISHES |
Honed |
NOTATIONS |
Soapstone is easy to care for. Traditionally mineral oil has been used to protect it and to enhance its color. Untreated it can have a dull appearance.There are some talc stones that have been commercially classified and are being sold as "Soapstone". They come in a wider variety of colors and do not have the same performance or weathering characteristics as the "steatite"
variety of soapstone. |
Geologically, soapstone is a variety of the serpentine group of stones. Its a "talc schist" or steatite with few impurities. It is the result of the serpentinization process, which is the hydrothermal alteration of ferromagnesian silicate minerals. This process is diverse and affects different groups of rocks producing the serpentine mineral group the color of which is greenish (green stones) and similar physical characteristics.
It is important to find out the performance characteristics of different varieties of stones within a given classification and not assume that all their characteristics are the same.
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