STONECARE
TECHNIQUES
RESTORATION v PRESERVATION
SOAPSTONE
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 |
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. Trade Terms |
||
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.