Thank you for that information, having the repair stipulated in writing is the right way to handle this. The picture of your soapstone is beautiful and I have been pining over your kitchen and others for over 2 years now. The stone I have is a medium as far as soapstone goes. I can’t scratch it with a fingernail, but I can if I dig in with a thumbnail. I fully understand they will scratch and develop a patina which I am totally ready for. It is the beauty and character along with durability that really ticks my boxes. Our home is newer with a craftsman flair (I included pics of the existing cabinets) so this will definitely instill character. Now I am trying to decide whether to oil or not. I really like the lighter grey but when wetting it down with water it was stunning as well. Also included close up of dry and wet surface. We live in a remote area so these forums and great advice from people like you are a godsend!

Current kitchen, the soapstone dry and wet.

Those look more like natural fissures and pits in the stone than transportation gouges.

It is hard to see from the cell phone photo but below are the close ups. It is definitely from moving the slab in transportation.

As mentioned I know scratches are going to happen, but I want them to be after the install.

I’m a little confused. Are you saying the counters I’m seeing in the current kitchen pic, are laminate? Because they’re beautiful, and by looking at the edge profile, look like real stone!

Yes, oiling will enhance any veining in the soapstone. The veins will really pop, after oiling. Since you have a softer variety, that will likely scratch fairly easily, oiling will help hide the scratches. You should be able to sand out most scratches, with one of those green abrasive Scotch pads, and then wipe mineral oil over the repair. In a couple of days, the scratches should be difficult to find.

Just understand, the initial oiling process takes time. The oil dissipates initially. You have to keep oiling…several times a day for the first week. After that, once a day…until you notice the patina develop staying power. You’ll be able to get a feel for the oiling need, in a short while. Keep a microfiber cloth soaked in mineral oil, in a plastic bag for touchups. That’s what M. Teixeira’s installers recommended…very useful advice!

We have chosen not to oil, but we do still get to temporarily enjoy the wet darkened stone multiple times a week, every time we wipe down the counters :)

I hope your project goes smoothly from here on. I really had fun with templating process - I went out to the shop and tried things out with the dealer.

Soapstone's nice!

That being said, I’d want a signed and stipulated document guaranteeing the gouges, and any other unusual damage will be removed during finishing, before installation.

Yes, if you don't have it in writing, it was never said!

Darbuka - LOL that is laminate fooled us too until we looked at the house before purchasing. The plastic feel and brown on brown has driven me nuts since day one however.

Rebasheba - do you have pictures of your soapstone to share as well?

Theresa - I agree and have just asked for that.

Here are some more pictures of my current kitchen. Sorry about the lighting. I think the soapstone will complement the wood shaker style cabinets. The sink will be undermounted. I had also inquired about runnels but the fabricator told me they will just harbor mold and bacteria.

Ah, the closeup makes a diiference. Can tell now, that the counters are laminate. Still, pretty darn nice for what it is!

FYI, soapstone is antimicrobial. Harboring mold is highly unlikely. As long as you wipe down the runnels daily, bacteria should be a non issue.

mjkisic - The soapstone slab looks beautiful. You have got some good advice from posters here. In the spring, I hope to get soapstone. My plan is to start out leaving it dry because I like the lighter color. I may choose to oil it in the future.

Please post a follow up with photos when you get your new counters installed. What is your plan for the backsplash?

Laurie- Thank you and how exciting you are doing soapstone as well! Do you have a slab selected or a specific type in mind? I would love to see what you are considering. I am a little surprised that it is not more popular than it is, but that is what also makes it great as it doesn’t look like everyone else’s kitchen. For now no backsplash, I am going to match what is already there with the linoleum counters. Our kitchen, dining and living area is just one large room so I am trying to be careful to not have the kitchen overwhelm the rest of the house ( and it will take a while to save up again before adding additional projects). I am thinking similar in that I may leave it grey and then oil if I want to but since mine is on the softer side as Darbuka mentioned I may need to sooner than later. The fabricator is coming to template Monday and they said they will cut me a piece to play with. What was your deciding factor to choose soapstone?

mjkisic - I do not have a soapstone slab selected. The type I am very interested in is called PA Original (also known as Stormy Black). For a while, I was looking into quartzite countertop options like Taj Mahal. I still like Taj Mahal but over time, came to love everyone's photos and descriptions of their soapstone here on Houzz. I like the fact it doesn't stain, does not require sealing, hot pots can go directly onto it without damage and I really like the look and feel of soapstone.

That is very nice you will get a sample of the Brazilian Black soapstone. I'm excited for you and I look forward to your updates and photos!

Laurie - Thank you I will and looking forward to seeing your pictures as well! Now I am thinking about edges and whether to under mount or over mount the sink as it is currently So far I am leaning towards an eased edge.

Here it is brand new ^

Here it is in real life, I am about to tackle that oil spot! This is my favorite part of the stone.

@rebasheba, gorogeous! I can see why that section is your favorite part. That vein on the side is stunning! Many veins throughout the counters…beautiful and dramatic!

Have fun toying with the patina!

Rebasheba - That is sooooooo beautiful! Thank you for sharing. The pictures of your soapstone and darbuka's just make my heart sing. I am getting giddy now waiting for mine. The grey color is similar to mine, but mine has less veining. How soft is your stone?

Thank you!

I can scratch it with my nail if I try very hard. I did put a scratch on it from the foot of a bowl or something quite early. I didn't repair it but quickly stopped noticing it and now I don't even know where it is.

Rebasheba - You have no idea how helpful and encouraging your posts are!! My soapstone is the same grey and hardness as yours, just with a little less veining. You start reading so much negativity that you begin to second guess yourself. In addition to the beauty, I love that it is natural stone, not trendy and most of all I can place hot pans on it an not worry about stains. I am fully for patina and love its durability. Additionally I have seen evidence of self-repair with scratches on a sample I knocked around (and as Darbuka mentioned, you always have the option to oil). I did have granite a long time ago and it scratched and chipped. I have also seen posts warning about hot crockpots on top of quartz. If my counters turn out half as pretty as yours and darbuka's, I am set. Thank you again for taking the time to post!

I think you will love it!! Good luck and enjoy your refreshed kitchn.

It’s happening! Counters removed today and the stone is going in tomorrow.

Congrats! Look forward to seeing photos of the end result!

So exciting! Can’t wait to see pictures!

I will! Wow 2 years of planning and saving. First time for me to have solid kitchen countertops that isn't laminate or doesn't have grout lines!

VERY excited for you! Your cabinets look like they are in beautiful condition and the new soapstone counters will be the perfect addition. Looking forward to photos after install!

It is in and I couldn’t be happier. I think I am going to leave it un- oiled for a while as I really love the lighter color. Installers were pretty hard on it and had to have them sand out quite a few gauges they created installing but it all came right out and looks fantastic. It is so much better in real life versus pictures.

By the way yellow walls not my choice they were here when we moved in. Waiting till retirement to take care of that myself.

Happy for you and thise pretty counters that I’d like to touch

They are just beautiful!!! Enjoy!

@lisaam, and @Diana, thank you both!

I love it! The grey looks really amazing with your wood cabinets. I also like that it's very matte/low shine. I bet the surface feels so nice (as lisaam said).

When you get a chance, can you post some photos of the island, too?

GORGEOUS @mjkisic!!

Great choice, I love the look of the lighter unoiled but even oiled your counters will continue to be gorgeous.

Yay!!!! Congrats 🎉

Oh wow - Gorgeous! enjoy those lovely tops 🤩

Thank you Boxerpal, and la_la Girl!

@Rebasheba, it was the pictures of your counters and information you shared that gave me confidence in my choices. Before that I had started second guessing my choices. Contrary to some posts it does not scratch from just looking at it or normal use. Yes it can be scratched, the installers did plenty of that, but they used 400 and 600 grit wet car sandpaper and all man-handling evidence disappeared.

@Laurie, I attached pics of the island below, and tried to capture some of the veining, many of which is a pretty very subtle light green. I wish you luck in your future soapstone adventure!

So gorgeous! Thank you for including all these photos. I really appreciate when people remember to post follow ups as you have. Your original post was a month ago and you didn't forget about us : ) It helps me and others who are going through the process (or thinking about it) and gives knowledge and encouragement.

I imagine it's enjoyable to wipe your soapstone down with a damp sponge and see the overall darkening and to see the veining details and some of the light green enhanced (as rebasheba mentioned in an earlier post).

Beautiful! Looks like a terrific install, too.

Enjoy watching patina develop. If you’re determined to keep the light grey color, you’ll have to periodically remove it manually. The cooktop, and sink areas will most likely darken the most.

May your soapstone give you many smiles every time you enter the kitchen. Ours does…even after almost 9 years!