Soapstone
Talc-rich and silky to the touch. For fireplaces, sinks, and hand carving.
Soapstone is mostly talc, and talc is the softest mineral there is — a 1 on the Mohs scale. That's why it feels soapy and carves with a butter knife. It's also why it's been carved into pots, stoves, and figurines for four thousand years.
Why masons love it
hardness Mohs 1 — carves with a fingernail heat holds heat like a battery, fireproof feel silky, warm, non-porous care oil it, never seal it
Working it
Soapstone is the forgiving stone — it won't crack from a hard strike, and scratches rub out with a little mineral oil. Perfect for a first carving, and for every fireplace we've ever built.
