Begin main content:

black soapstone

Stone Conversations : Archive 5 : Message 00188

From: "John VanCamp" <jvcstnwrks@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2004 19:42:05 -0600
Subject: black soapstone

Hi every one. As to the Virginia Soapstone, It is what would be
called a steatite by a geologist. It is a massive and well
compacted form of soapstone, both of which are predominately the
mineral talc. One could liken it to the difference between
limestone, and a very compacted form of limestone. Same
minerals, but a lot of difference in stiffness, or resistance to
tooling if you prefer. Mohs' hardness would be the same. I had
the pleasure of spending a few hours at the old stone mill and
quarry in Schuyler (sp?) Virginia summer before last. Brought a
ton or so of stone back to Texas with me--Two different
varieties Old Dominion which I believe is the same as Black
Pearl, and Alberene which is more of a greenish gray color. Have
been told that analysis of the Virginia stones show them to be
free of asbestoses. However, since talc is a silicate of sorts
(Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) breathing the dust would still not be a good
idea.

End of main content.
Begin local navigation menu:
End of local navigation menu.

©1998-2006 About Stone. Designed, maintained and hosted by Diversity Studio.

Mail converted by MHonArc 2.6.16 08 July 2006