What is Soapstone?
Soapstone is the common name for the mineral steatite. Steatite is at least 50% talc combined with other minerals, mostly magnesite, that have been geologically metamorphosed into stone through a combination of heat, pressure and time. It is called soapstone because the talc gives the stone a soapy feel.
Soapstone is a natural stone that is made up primarily of magnesite, dolomite, chlorite and talc. It is very smooth and soft to the touch and has a “soapy” texture to it, hence its name. Soapstone is quite old (300 to 400 million years!) and is extremely durable and beautiful. It is also very dense which makes it highly resistant to alkalis and acids. Consequently, it is non-porous and nearly impossible to stain!
