Looking for slabs -- question on soapstone and quartzite options

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

We start demo in another week, so I get to start looking for the pretty things. I went to look at slabs, keeping an open mind but leaning towards soapstone or quartzite. My cabinets are a medium stained quartersawn oak, and planning on cream walls and tile floors. The bar sink area will have cream painted cabinets. I want either a creamy quartzite or a not-too-green soapstone for my countertop. My house is eclectic with a few Spanish revival elements.

I found a gorgeous Taj Mahal quartzite and checked the price group number. On a scale of 1-5 (1 being the cheapest) it's a ... 9. Wha?! Can't wait to see that priced out.

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So I moved on to a very pretty quartzite I had never heard of, Kiwi Quartzite. I know stone yards like to play with name, but found absolutely nothing called that in a Google search. Has anyone seen anything like this? It had that translucence you see with Quartz.

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And I also saw a light gray soapstone that I could scratch with my nail, so no go. Another soapstone was very different than what I've seen, with brownish swirls and some small rust spots. Is this unusual with soapstone? Can those be sanded out? You can see them in the top right of center in the photo below. I like the swirls on this stone, and think the color variation is cool.

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Once I get the options priced out, I'll ask for samples for testing and bring out my cabinet samples to take more photos. I'm hoping, though, that one of you lovely stone aficionados can chime in with some advice on the quartzite and soapstone options. And commiserate when the Taj Mahal prices out to a gagillion dollars.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

bornonthefourth

10 years ago

I don't have any advice, but do LOVE the Taj Majal quartzite. It won't work for my kitchen, unfortunately, it's stunning in person. One place was $1,000 (yes, one thousand!) more than another per slab, so maybe shopping around can help? Good luck!

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Comments (12)

Jancy
10 years ago
The kiwi quartzite looks like Aqua veneto quartzite. I have Aqua veneto but mine has a lot more white. I love it. Just saw the same name slabs at a stone yard a couple of weeks ago and it is also Aqua Veneto but looks just like the kiwi you posted. Here's a web site I found on line that shows it by this name.http://morningstarmarble.com/?attachment_id=4119
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K C ! thanked Jancy
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adja
10 years ago
Taj was priced at 165/sqft at one of the granite places I went
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K C ! thanked adja
K C !
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks all, I really love the Taj Mahal, so I think I will have to check more places to open up my options. That Aqua Veneto is so pretty, I'll keep an eye out for that one, too.

Any input from anyone on soapstone and rust spots? Or what kind of soapstone might be pictured?
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texaspenny
10 years ago
My soapstone has a couple rust spots. I like it. Mother Nature is always interesting.
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javiwa
10 years ago
adja - if I may, was $165/sqft the installed (vs slab) price? I'm trying to get a sense of prices for quartzite, too, understanding all the variables that might be involved. TIA.
adja
10 years ago
Yes Javiwa. The price did not include any sink cutout though
K C !
Original Author
10 years ago
I guess I was surprised that the Taj Mahal was the most expensive slab on the whole lot! I know how popular the cooler toned slabs are because of the white/gray trend, and was hoping I would be able to find a nice warm quartzite for a little cheaper because of the decline in poularity of the warmer tones.

Oh well, I'm looking at a different place tomorrow, and will keep on my quest!
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javiwa
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Well, it IS a beautiful stone! :) To my inexperienced eye, your TM slab still qualifies as white. I think either way, though, quartzite's combination of beauty and durability is what drives the prices up. (That, and because of its hardness, it's more difficult to work with than even the hardest granites.) Good luck!

P.S. Do you have an installer/fabricator lined up yet? If so, might he/she call around for you? My installer has offered to call around local stoneyards (though, not know how the industry works -- i.e., does he have only certain yards he favors -- I don't know how exhaustive his search will be).
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brdrl
10 years ago
We just had soapstone counters installed last week and love them! We were not comfortable with local stone yards lack of inventory and information on soapstone though - each had 1 slab that could be scratched with fingernails. We ordered a sample pack through M. Teixeira in NJ and were very impressed with the variety and durability of some options. We selected Stormy Black - it is hard with dramatic veining. Fortunately we are only 90 minutes away from their location. They did a phenomenal job fabricating too. Oiled they are a gorgeous charcoal color that plays well with the light grey shaker cabinets. It is a big decision! Good luck.
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raenjapan
10 years ago
I think both of the soapstone slabs are freaking gorgeous. The rust spots only add to the interest.
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K C !
Original Author
10 years ago
At this point, I'm definitely leaning towards soapstone. I went to another granite place, and looked at hundreds of slabs and everything was too busy or too colorful or just too something. I guess I'm pickier than I realized! I'm waiting on pricing for the soapstone, and I also have to figure out whether they fabricate soapstone often and are familiar with it. It's such a big thing, I don't want to screw it up!
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