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Soapstone is a timeless natural stone that has been used across many applications for centuries and was popularized by celebrities like Martha Stewart in the latter part of the twentieth century. Once again, it is trending into mainstream design via architects and interior designers, who have influenced me to use this material in my own home.
From left to right: Hendricks Churchill Architects | Whittney Parkinson Design | Heidi Caillier Design
What makes soapstone special?
Not only do people love the look of soapstone, which patinas beautifully with age. They also love it for its inherent properties which make it ideal for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and fireplaces.
Unlike other natural stones, soapstone is considered low maintenance and hardy in that it is non-porous (e.g., it does not absorb water), heat resistant (e.g., it will not burn or crack when exposed to high temperatures), and stain resistant (e.g., red wine or lemon juice won’t etch it). In fact, soapstone is often used in science labs because of how well it performs with heavy use and chemical exposure.
Two downsides to soapstone to consider
Like any stone, soapstone has its downsides. It scratches easily, although notably scratches are easy to buff out yourself because it is a “soft” stone. I have heard great things about two at-home treatment options to help repair scratches: Milk Paint and a natural wax enhancer sold by Philadelphia Soapstone Co (both are food safe).
The other downside is that soapstone is becoming more expensive as consumer demand for it grows. According to Forbes, consumers should expect to spend anywhere from $55-$100 per square foot for soapstone. I am relentless in my hunt for good deals though, so I paid $35/sq ft (and yes, my fabricator confirmed it’s most certainly authentic!).
Tips for shopping for soapstone
Shopping for soapstone can be a real pain if you’re not an informed consumer. Here are some practical tips for shopping for it:
1. Watch out for fraud: Because of its growing popularity and costs, soapstone fraud is on the rise and consumers need to be wary of fakes. Deceptive sales practices are not uncommon. I witnessed these myself in my personal search for soapstone where I saw black marbles, schists and shales marketed incorrectly as soapstone. And, while there are stones out there that can look very similar to soapstone, those stones have none of soapstone’s unique properties. So, if you purchase a “soapstone” that doesn’t hold up like a soapstone should, chances are you’ve unfortunately bought a fake.
Soapstone fakes are commonly sold under certain names, so if you see labels like “Marine Black,” “Black Moon,” “Luna,” “Arabesque,” “Noire,” or “White Soapstone” (this one is just a marketing gimmick for white marble) you should exercise some skepticism.
If you’re concerned about the authenticity of a stone, ask some clarifying questions. What is its talc content? Soapstone is the only natural stone with high talc deposits in its composition. Where was it mined? Most fakes are mined in China, while the majority of real soapstone sold in North America comes from Brazil, the US, and India. Can you scratch it with your fingernail? Does the surface feel velvety and cool to the touch? If you can get a sample, will undiluted vinegar etch the surface? Put the stone and the seller to the test to ensure you’re getting the real thing.
2. Bring a spray bottle with you when you shop: Since soapstone is non-porous, it is optional to seal it. Some people choose to seal soapstone because it helps the patina develop more evenly over time. Just know that if you seal soapstone, the color of the slab will darken…although I’ve heard that non-darkening sealers are a thing now. And, if the stone has any underlying colors – such as green or blue, which are both common – sometimes those colors don’t become visible to the eye until you’ve spritzed the stone with some water. I specifically wanted a soapstone without any color in it, so having a spray bottle with me helped rule out a number of slabs that I otherwise thought were just plain gray but actually had color in them.
3. Decide which finish you like: Soapstone often comes honed from the manufacturer, which is my preferred finish for it. If you like more texture than that, look for a leathered soapstone. Soapstone also comes polished, but personally I am not a fan of how it looks polished because I think it ruins the natural beauty of the stone. I would recommend buying another type of stone, like marble, if you like a polished finish best.
Alternatives to soapstone
While only soapstone has its unique properties (e.g., non-porous, heat resistant, stain resistant), there are soapstone lookalikes that can be good alternatives for buyers who want the soapstone look at more affordable pricing.
From left to right: Granite via Melissa Hart Interiors | Black Marble from the home of Thomas Schlosser, photography by Kira Brandt | Slate via the Vermont Structural Slate Company | Quicksilver Schist via Ashfield Stone | Empira Black Quartz via Caesarstone | Porcelain via Crossville
1. Granite: Granite has a characteristic speckling but can otherwise have very similar coloring to soapstone. Some granites have color variations that present like veining, but many have more consistent coloring. Either way, the price point for granite is usually significantly better compared to soapstone.
2. Marble: Black marbles are sometimes sold as soapstone because they can look like twins to an amateur eye (Nero Marquina marble is one of them). But, marble typically has far thicker, white veining in it than soapstone.
3. Slate: Some slates can look a lot like soapstone, and while they are water resistant enough to be used in roofing, they are not considered non-porous like soapstone. Slates also do not come polished. They are almost always honed and come in a range of grays and blacks.
4. Schist: In the same family as slates, but stronger, schists are commonly sold as soapstone because they can look very similar. For example, “Quicksilver Schist” can easily be mistaken for soapstone. You might be able to spot a schist because they typically have a subtle shimmer or glittery appearance to them. Unlike soapstone, schist etches just as easily as marble when exposed to acids.
5. Quartz: This is one of the manmade alternatives to soapstone. If manufactured well, quartz can look very good compared to a real soapstone – although I’ve also seen ones that look like really bad knock-offs.
6. Porcelain: Another manmade and affordable option. Porcelain can also replicate the soapstone look if done well. Crossville has some excellent options here.
Cost Comparison Chart (slab-only)
Schist | $80-$120 per sq ft |
Black Marble | ~$75 per sq ft |
Soapstone | $55-$100 per sq ft |
Slate | $50-$100 per sq ft |
Quartz | $55-$200 per sq ft depending on quality |
Porcelain | $50-$70 per sq ft |
Granite | $40-$60 per sq ft |
Whether you’re just soapstone curious or actively on the hunt for your own soapstone slab, I hope you found this article informative. But, if you’d like further reading, M. Teixeira, which exclusively sells soapstone, has some great educational blog posts you can check out.
Happy nesting,
Christine
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