Soapstone pricing too good to be true?

3 years ago

I went to go look at soapstone slabs yesterday and found a few that I liked. Both places that I went had price ranges rated from A-H, with A being cheapest, H being most expensive. All of the slabs that I saw with the exception of one were in the G-H range. The exception was a C. This is one of the slabs that I'm interested in, however after getting home and doing some reading, I'm a little concerned that it might not actually be real soapstone. The stone was labelled as Ocean Black, which is suspiciously similar to Marine Black, a common name that M Teixeira lists as not a real soapstone, but is instead a Phyllite. This doesn't necessary exclude this material from consideration, but I really can't find a lot of information about it as a countertop material, and I really don't want to drop nearly $10k on a counter only to find that I really really really hate it. I realize now that I should have brought some materials to do some testing with, but it didn't even register with me as a red flag until I got home and started researching. If I decide to potentially move forward, of course I'll bring a lemon, some wine, etc and see if there are any issues with etching or staining before actually paying for these slabs.

I did a Houzz search and found some questions in a couple of threads but never really got solid information. It sounds like Phyllite may or may not etch/stain. It can be oiled (but does the oil actually damage it? I'm fine with it seeping in and staying oiled) Might be harder than soapstone but still scratch, and if it scratches, can they be sanded out like soapstone?

Featured Answer

chicagoans

3 years ago

It's really lovely! When you go back to test in person, can your fabricator go with you to give his / her opinion? The fabricator should be able to see if there are any concerns with the slabs.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
You'll have to answer all your questions by testing in person.
User
3 years ago
Sometimes distributors knock down the price on inventory that they have had for a long time. That doesn't make it "lesser". But, not many location in the US are rich with fabricators with experience with soapstone, so that's already a bit of a red flag to the situation. Find your fabricator who understands soapstone, and why it should not be shiny first.
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Laurel C
Original Author
3 years ago
Our fabricator is comfortable working with soapstone, this is at one of their suppliers. I can assure you the finish is not shiny, it appears honed just like the rest of the soapstone slabs they have, but perhaps it appears as such in this photo due to the overhead lighting.
Laurel C
Original Author
3 years ago
I've reached out to the fabricator to see if they've ever worked with phyllite, which is what I suspect this stone is. Waiting to hear back from them. The stone warehouse is over an hour from my fabricator's location, so it's a bit of a hike for them just to look at the slabs, but if we end up planning to go with this material, (if it passes acid and stain tests) then we may see if they can make that part of their pickup trip.
Dalton Rodriguez
2 years ago
Hi Laurel! Wondering if you ended up going with these slabs, and if so, what has your experience been? I am in a very similar boat. I was looking for soapstone for my kitchen, but it is hard to come by where I am in Nashville at the moment, and I have found many places that are selling this exact looking material, labeled as black soapstone, but I feel fairly certain that it is actually phyllite . I have done all of the testing on a sample at home with knives, wine, lemons, coffee, etc., and it is held up as I would expect soapstone too, but I still would love to hear someone’s experience in real life. Thanks!!