Gemdle

Soapstone

graygreenwhite

Soapstone, a gray/green/white mineral
Mai Seppel · CC BY-SA 4.0
ColourGray, Green, White

What is Soapstone?

Soapstone is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock. It is composed largely of the magnesium-rich mineral talc. It is produced by dynamothermal metamorphism and metasomatism, which occur in subduction zones, changing rocks by heat and pressure, with influx of fluids but without melting. It has been a carving medium for thousands of years.

How to identify Soapstone

Can you spot Soapstone?

Test yourself on photos of Soapstone and lookalikes:

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Soapstone?
Soapstone's hardness varies; see the property table above.
What colour is Soapstone?
Soapstone is typically gray, green, white.