| Soapstone is a "Steatite", a precious form of soft stone which is highly valued as a carving medium but can also be pulverized and used to produce baby powder, paints, and rubber. Deposits can be found around the world, in colors ranging from white and black to shades of red, green or brown, depending on mineral content and place of origin. Soapstone is delicate and must be handled with great care. Gentle rubbing with linseed oil will preserve the color and help disguise shallow scratches, but avoid getting oil on etched areas, as it will nullify the contrast. For deeper scratches, sand with 220 to 400 grit sandpaper, treat with linseed oil and buff with a soft dry cloth to restore the stone's luminescence. |
