soapstone

Soft to the touch and extremely elegant, soapstone is a beautiful variety of metamorphic rock that has applications in art and in construction. The famous statue of Jesus in Rio, “Christ the Redeemer,” is composed of soapstone, and humans have been utilizing the mineral for thousands of years to make things like bowls, tools, and decorative items. Today, you can spot soapstone in spaces like chemistry labs, because it is very dense and requires very little upkeep. Soapstone has a muted color range, usually coming in grey, white, and black, and in blues and greens, creating a very natural and timeless look when incorporated into a design. Soapstone has a matte-like finish, but when oiled or waxed, can become quite glossy.

Soapstone is non-porous, which means it doesn’t require any sealant. But in order to preserve the color, we would still recommend sealing initially, and subsequently on a three to four year basis. You can use acids and bases alike when sanitizing your surface, which is an excellent advantage of having this surface in high-traffic areas. However, due to the soft texture of this material, it can be prone to scratches. It is important to use cutting boards, and avoid contact with heavy or sharp objects. If your surface becomes scratched, it can be buffed out with relative ease if done correctly, which makes this surface very forgivable. Once the scratch is removed, it can be resealed oiled again, and will be good as new.