Is there a difference between black and grey soapstone when oiled

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I am having a hard time finding black soapstone but have found grey soapstone. My goal is to get a smooth black countertop and love soapstone. The guy at the stone yard said there isn’t much difference when oiled. Is that true? I’m worried the grey soapstone will look dark grey and not black. This is for a laundry room countertop so it will not get heavy use. Am I worrying over nothing if I go with the grey soapstone? ive attached pics of the slab we are looking at with oil rubbed on the corner.

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Comments (5)

PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years ago
They both taste the same either way.

(a Saturday night answer)
julieste
5 years ago
You will be fine with the charcoal color slab.
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PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
5 years ago
It is my understanding that soapstone will darken as it's oiled and used.

If you want a black stone counter top that starts out black and stays that way, and looks like soapstone, try honed Jet Mist granite. It's fabulous!
jad2design
5 years ago
My soapstone, Black Venata, is a medium gray that darkens to a beautiful matte charcoal when oiled. The oil eventually evaporates or wears off, bringing the soapstone back towards a medium gray, but each time I’ve oiled my counters they remain a bit darker than before. They will never turn pure black, however. Of the different soapstone varieties I looked at I chose the shade of gray that I liked best just in case I decided to leave them in their natural state. The picture below shows a portion of the stone moistened with water, which approximates the shade it would be when treated with mineral oil.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
5 years ago
Beautiful cabinets and c-top, jad2design!