Soapstone is a great countertop option that has become more and more popular over the years. The soft and beautiful stone offers many great benefits when used as countertops, making it a great choice for your kitchen or bathroom. At Dorado Soapstone in Colorado, we can provide you with the stunning soapstone countertops you want for your home. We offer different types of soapstone, allowing you to find the perfect look for your space. In this blog, we are going to talk about where soapstone comes from and how it is mined. Read on to learn more and contact us today!
How Soapstone Is Mined For Soapstone Countertops
What Is Soapstone?
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock composed primarily of talc, and includes varying amounts of chlorite, micas, amphiboles, and other minerals. Most soapstone deposits were formed about 300 to 400 million years ago. The talc gives this stone a soft feel, which was often described to have a sensation similar to dry soap, giving this stone its name. Architectural soapstone generally contains about 50 to 75 percent talc, giving it the classic soft and smooth feel. While this stone feels soft, the other minerals in the composition give the stone strength and durability. This makes soapstone countertops and great options.
Where Is It Quarried?
Soapstone is mined from quarries, which can be found worldwide. In ancient times, soapstone was most often mined from quarries in areas that are now known as India and Iran. Today, most soapstone quarries are located in India, Finland, Brazil, and the United States. Soapstone is one of the few natural stone countertops that is quarried in the United States.
How Is It Quarried?
The stone is cut from the wall of the quarry by drilling a line of holes into the next layer of stone. Once the block of soapstone is separated along the grain of the stone from the other layers, it is raised out of the quarry to the surface. Soapstone can also be mined by cutting blocks of stone and then separating the stone along the grain, splitting a block into multiple slabs. Soapstone is often cut from the floor of the quarry by hand, which allows for a higher quality and fracture free block of soapstone.
Why Soapstone Countertops?
Soapstone has several natural properties that make it a great option to use as countertops. Not only does soapstone have a beautiful look and comes in a few different styles, but it also is extremely durable. Soapstone has a hardness that makes it comparable to high-end marble, but it is also easy to fabricate. It is also heat-resistant, since it is a metamorphic stone — this stone is often used for pizza stones, cookware, wood-burning stoves, and fireplaces. On top of that, soapstone is also non-porous, allowing it to be stain-resistant. Since it is non-porous, it can also limit the ability of germs and bacteria to penetrate the surface, making it a hygienic countertop option.
Soapstone countertops can be a great addition to your home, providing a stunning style and a high-quality stone that will stand the test of time. Now that you know more about soapstone, what it is, how it is mined, and why it makes a great countertop choice, be sure to contact Dorado Soapstone in Colorado! We can provide you with the soapstone countertops you want and need for your home.
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