green stone

[Bill Marsh <redcloud54@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Norman,

There are two types of black soapstone from Charlottesville.

The one you want is sold by Steve Stromlauf (sp?) under the trade name
"Black Pearl Soapstone."  It's all over Google under these search terms.  I
have worked with this stone quite a bit, and, living nearby in Blacksburg,
VA, have been to his yard and handpicked pieces.  The stone does have some
pyrite inclusions (which suits me fine for the suprise factor), but is
somewhat harder than the average soapstone, and indeed is harder than some
alabasters.  This gives it a somewhat higher capacity for detail-holding,
but is nowhere near marble, in this respect.  You have to watch edges very
carefully when polishing.  It polishes to a shiny dark grey, which can be
taken to black with melted beeswax or poppy oil (I prefer the former).  I
use a torch to heat the stone and rub the beeswax block over it to melt the
wax into the stone, which soaks up the wax like a sponge.  Then buff by hand
and follow with a loose cotton wheel.  This stone is practically
indestructible and can live outdoors for years and years.

Bill Marsh