At Dorado Soapstone, we offer a great selection of soapstone countertops and our mission is to help you find the one that’s right for you. Perhaps you’ve heard about mineral hardness and you’re wondering how that relates to soapstone. In today’s post, we’re sharing all the information you need, so keep reading to learn more or contact us with any questions you may have.
What is Mohs’ Scale?
Mohs’ Scale of Mineral Hardness is a method used to determine the hardness of a mineral. The scale was created by German geologist and mineralogist Friedrich Mohs in 1812, and it is still used today. The scale is logarithmic, meaning each value is 10 times greater than the last, and it goes from 1-10. The higher the number, the harder the mineral.
How Does Mohs’ Scale Work?
To test the hardness of a mineral, you will need to find a material that is known to be softer than the mineral in question. For example, if you want to know how hard soapstone is, you would find a material with a hardness of 2 or 3 and see if it can scratch the surface of the soapstone. If it can, then the soapstone has a hardness of 2 or 3. If not, then you would move on to testing with materials of higher hardness until you find one that scratches the surface.
Soapstone’s Hardness
Soapstone is a soft stone with a Mohs’ hardness of 1-2.5. This means it can be easily scratched by materials with a hardness of 3 or higher. For this reason, soapstone countertops require special care and should only be cleaned with mild, non-abrasive cleaners.
Other Stones’ Hardnesses
Here are the hardness levels of some other common stones:
- Granite: 6-7
- Quartz: 7
- Marble: 3-5
- Limestone: 3-4
As you can see, soapstone is much softer than granite or quartz. This makes it a good choice for those who want the look of stone countertops without the high maintenance.
No matter the style of countertop you’re searching for, there are a variety of types of soapstone countertops that are a great option for many homes. Get a quote now!
