Welcome to Virginia Soapstone, LLC

Soapstone is a natural quarried stone. It’s a metamorphic rock that got its name from the soft, or soapy, feel of its surface, which is thanks to the presence of talc in the stone.

The two varieties—artistic and architectural—are differentiated by talc content. Artistic-grade soapstone has a high talc content and is soft and easy to carve. Architectural-grade soapstone has a lower talc content (usually between 30 and 50 percent), which makes it harder and more suitable for countertop use. It’s not as hard as granite or marble, however, and can be easily cut, shaped, and installed.

1. It doesn’t stain. Soapstone is extremely dense and nonporous. This makes it impervious to bacteria.
2. It can stand up to acidic materials. The fact that soapstone is chemically inert means it’s not harmed by lemon juice, tomato juice, red wine or cleaners that must be avoided with other natural stone surfaces. That’s why it’s so popular for use as science lab tops.
3. It’s heat resistant. The density of soapstone makes it an amazing conductor of heat, which enables it to withstand very high heat with no damage. You can put hot pans right on the surface without worry.

Because soapstone is nonporous, it doesn’t need to be sealed or protected. Not only does this cut down on maintenance but also the absence of chemicals in the fabrication and ongoing care leads many to consider soapstone an environmentally responsible choice.

In addition to not requiring any sealer, soapstone stays looking good. Scratches and nicks are part of its character, but bothersome marks can be removed with sandpaper.

Soapstone is available in a range of shades on a sliding gray scale, some with blue or green undertones. Each slab is unique and varies from quarry to quarry. The widest variation in soapstone is in the quartz fleck and veining patterns. Some slabs have large but few veins; others have dense veining.

Soapstone naturally darkens with use over time. Soapstone can be altered to achieve a dark-charcoal black by applying mineral oil. This process can also serve to highlight veining.

Because of its resilience and adaptability, soapstone can be used for much more than countertops; it works well as sinks, fireplace surrounds (thanks to its heat resistance), flooring, and throughout the bathroom. It’s also a great choice for outdoor counters and sinks as it’s impervious to weather and bacteria.

With soapstones grey tones and honed finish, it works with many design choices. This stones adaptability works with 100 years old farmhouses as well as modern  and contemporary construction.

Low maintenance is the name of the game with soapstone. Soapstone’s nonporous quality makes it bacteria resistant, so harsh cleaners are not needed. Soap and water are all that’s recommended.

Your soapstone will get scratches. They are usually small and  will blend in with the stone and add to the natural patina . Applying mineral oil will also make them disappear. You can protect the surface by using cutting boards. And the good news is that user-caused imperfections generally can be removed, as mentioned above, with a quick sandpaper buffing. No professional repairs required.