i don't have soapstone but from the soapstone i have seen, it really will darken up with oiling. i seem to have a "panic attack" everytime i pull the trigger on something involving the kitchen but it will be fine!!!! you like soapstone and that's why you picked it. you will love it when you get it, i'm sure!!!

Thanks gglks, that's mine impression that once oiled it will darken up...but hoping I didn't get the one stone that won't pop. Like I said the sales rep wasn't exactly a big help.

Is there another stone yard in your area? Or you could try to find pics of different types of stone online.

It seems to me like you ought to ask them to oil a bit of it for you to make sure it's going to look like what you want. Our soapstone supplier had slabs that were half oiled and half unoiled so we could see the difference. They also had pieces of the variety we bought that had been oied multiple times so we could see that as well. At the very least they ought to let you put some oil on your slab to make sure you know what you're getting -- or on a sample??

Counters are so expensive -- I'd be very hesitant to go with something not being sure what I was getting. That said, we love our soapstone so I hope it works out for you.

Thanks sw in austin I think I'll go back there and see about oiling it. He was so hesitate about moving and wetting the slabs. Unfortunately is not exactly around the corner its about an hour and half away..one more thing to juggle! It will be worth it in the end!

Since your ss sales rap seems so indifferent about your ss, I would be concerned with installation by this company, more than the ss itself. How the soapstone is finished and sanded is crucial to how the soapstone will look and clean up. If they don't even know the name of the ss, what kind of expertise do they have? I would seek another stone yard, since you will be married to this ss counter and it is important that it be finished and installed correctly.

Ditto what akchicago says. Too many people on this forum have had bad installations or finishing jobs from yards that didn't have experience with soapstone. This guy would not inspire MY confidence. There must be other soapstone dealers in your area: where are you located? If you tell us, I am sure there is someone on this forum who can give you a recommendation.

All I can say is that you should listen to your gut and follow your instincts - if you are uneasy, there is a good reason for it. Find another source who is knowledgeable.

I just wanted to give you an idea what our soapstone looked like before and after it's first oiling.

Just installed, before oiling:

After first oiling (still wet here...is not that shiny normally)

As you can see... big change with oil. That is Santa Rita Vennata soapstone. I haven't lived with it yet (haven't moved in) but it seems to "flash" off the oil a bit quicker than some other varieties.

Hope that helps!

I totally agree with ak and rayna! And after my experience, I would strongly urge folks to order ss from someone proficient with ss. I wouldn't trust anyone who just called it 'soapstone.' We've heard many stories here about fabricators using the word soapstone for, say, pietra cardoza (a lovely stone, to be sure, but has different properties than soapstone). And I wouldn't buy a slab that I couldn't see oiled. At M Tex they were willing to move just about every slab in the warehouse, and oil anything at all. On one visit, I was there for 2 hours! Ok--a dealer may not be able to dig 5 slabs down, but if the top slab is the same as the 5th one, then oiling the top one should be ok.

Trust your instincts!

Where are you located?

francy

Thank you akchicago, raynag francy and ts diver, I really don't have concerns about the installation, because the yard just sends it to the fabricator who has a wonderful reputation..that is one thing I am sure about!

tsdiver that's what I need to see is the before and after..your ss is wonderful..I hope I am so lucky. When will you be moving into that fabulous kitchen..I can tell just form the ss! My concern was the ss was so gray, but so was yours. I think I'm going to wait until the fabricator get my stone and go to him and oil it.

I think that just because one piece of soapstone looks a particular way after it's oiled is no guarantee that the slab you've selected will perform the same. Go read bayareafrancy's recent long thread about her issues with water marks to get more information about the many variables with soapstone.

Good luck.

Cran, if it goes to your fabricator, and you do not like it, can you return it?
I would make sure, given the cost of soapstone.

Also, are you sure, sure, sure, about the fabricator? I don't know if I would rely on this guy.

What kind of soapstone Look are you trying to achieve? I ask because, although I do not have it, pale ss is pretty. Good Luck

Oh Cran, I was wondering if you purchased soapstone yet. It sounds like the man at the yard wasn't very nice. I am so sorry if I steered you to the wrong place. I had such a nice experience there. The people were so kind and the slabs that we saw were really pretty. Please let me know. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Cait no this wasn't the yard you told me about, this is in Bridgewater. I did go to CNL and they had only a little bit of ss. I did ask about yours in a round about way and they called Quincy and found there was 1 slab left..I need 3. Have you posted any pics of yours yet? Thank you for your help and concern.

daid I'm really sure about the fabricator every yard I go to ask who is doing the job when I tell them they say good. He does every thing digitally and supposably it comes out perfect.

sw I did read francy thread and that's why I'm so concerned. I think I'll take another trip to the yard and do THE TEST!

imho you need to have samples of your stone to use and abuse at home - my stone is lighter - when oiled it turns dark and within a few days begins turning lighter again - you won't know if your stone will stay dark, or pop, (if that is what you want), or how it will react to things, unless you really test it yourself -i echo everyone else - try to find another stone yard who will understand your questions and help you in every way possible.

Cran-

Everyone has offered really good and valuable advice on your
situation - have you mentioned any of this to your Fabricator?

I would be livid with the Distributor if they'd have treated
ANY of my customers that way they were with you - totally
UNPROFESSIONAL and not worthy of any more referals - but that's
just me and the way I roll -

Additionally - I would have been there (if at all
possible) had I been your Fabricator - in order to answer
any of your questions, have All of your slabs laid out for you
to inspect, fall in love with, here the "angel voices" when you
KNOW that THESE ARE the slabs for you, and ultimately - approve
the slabs for YOUR project.

In your area - Central Texas - Dallas/Ft Worth/ Austin?
you have LOTS of choices for slabbage - why saddle
yourself with a company that does not appear to appreciate
your business?

As a Professional - I'd urge you to get with your Fabricator,
and look at alternate sources for your Soapstone - Trust me -
it's gaining more and more popularity every day, and
there's GOT TO BE more sources out there than the one source that
didn't treat you very professionally (IMHO)...

Hope that helps

kevin

Kevin, thanks for the advise..I'm rethinking the whole thing. It doesn't necessarily mean I won't get that soap stone, but I need to have a little more info. I am in Massachusetts and I know there is a big wholesaler in NJ. To top the whole situation off I am working with a very high end kitchen designer who I think is just happy i made a choice.. she is always in contact with the fabricator, but not so much the stone yard. I am a little isolated the stone places are hours away and so is the fabricator. Thanks again.

Remember -

This Soap Stone is going in YOUR home - not theirs....

Remember THIS:

YOU - Not Them - will be living with this material
for years to come (unless you are flipping the home - which
it sounds to me like you aren't)..

IF you REALLY want Soap Stone - stay the course - it's a beautiful
material and TOTAlly APPROPRIATE for a home in the Massachusetts area...
If I am not mistaken - The Freakin "PILGRIMS" were using locally obtained
Soap Stone back in the 1600's for cryin out loud!!!!!

I think that Soap Stone is a WONDERFUL product to use
in your kitchen application, and you should stick to your plan -
go for it!!!!!

Insist that your KD and Fabricator make things easier for YOU
to get samples and the material YOU will be living with and waking up to
EVERY MORNING for the next couple of decades....

again - just MY .02 cents worth - but this is for YOU -
not them.......

kevin
Soap Stone

Hi cran.

I too am in MA and have been lurking on this site for a while as we are in the initial stages of building. I am very interested in ss and your mention of Bridgewater & Quincy caught my eye. I saw some gorgeous ss on a post here-Green Mountain Original (Mary in NC, I think). I contacted them & they work with a yard in Westwood, MA. You probably already know all of this, so sorry if I am being repetitious. Let us know how it turns out...

Green Mountain Original also works with Elemar North in Lowell, MA

Cran -

If you want to get dialed in with somebody that can help
you with this dilema - you may want to contact Bill Vincent -

My Brother Bill is in Maine, and he may have some crucial info
that you can benefit from as well when it comes to your search for
the right Soap Stone and the right Distributor.....
Since you are in Mass & he is in Maine - Geographically, he may
have some "golden nuggets" for you....

If you contact Bill - He may be able to get you
some "alternative" suppliers that will be able to help you...

Bill's knowledge and wisdom is Golden - and I'd call him
ASAP if I were you... he does BOTH Tile AND Slab - As a colleague
in the "Industry" - I'd contact him in a heartbeat if I were you...

kevin

Here is a link that might be useful: Bill Vincent's website

I've been trying to get on the computer all say!
Kevin thanks for the info about your brother. I have seen his posts and think I would be in good hands. My husband and I are going Wed to view the slabs again. DH is going to call and request that the slabs are out to see each one. I will bring an oiled cloth and go from there.

Katiob I saw MaryNC soapstone and drooled. I did go to Westwood and I had made an appointment to see their ss. I really didn't care for it. The sales rep did water it down and said some more was on order but could not give any more info. I wish I had asked about the Green Mountain maybe that will be an option if things don't work out.

Pmama I will check out Lowell as well!

Everyone has given me so much good information here I bound to get what I want. Thank you everyone. I'll keep you posted as to how things turn out.

cran, please send me a private email for more info on local fabricators.

Thanks Pluckymama one is on the way!

Chuckling because Kevin and Bill are not actually "brothers" in the biological sense, just "brothers" in the stone industry. But now I'm imagining them in their bunk beds at night, arguing about grout lines and sealants until their mother tells them to turn the light off and go to sleep. (Who would get the top bunk?)

Keep us posted on your stone!

;-)

francy

Francy - that is pretty funny, and actually, I am the older of mt bio bro Larry - and we actually DID have many instances where he I and I would get into those pre-slumber discussions I usually cenetring on who was stronger and cooler - Batman or Superman??? Or which was the better "group": the Beatles of the Dave Clark 5 ???? NOW I'm showing my age....

Good times.... Good times

Kevin

I really did order my soapstone today..DH and I went back to the stone yard to view the ss and OILED it or I should say some of it.. It really looked beautiful! So it is on its way to the fabricator. I brought my camera to take some shots to share, but of course the batteries were dead. Thanks every one for all the great advice.

Cran, which soapstone did you end up going with? Has it been installed yet? Any pics?