Description
A very soft rock composed primarily of the mineral talc. Steatite, commonly called soapstone, is composed of hydrated magnesium silicate. It is easily cut and has been used for carvings since ancient times. Steatite is usually a white, grayish green, brown or in rare cases, red or black. The stones were used for bowls, boxes, and small objects such as figurines, beads, seals, amulets, and scarabs. Native steatite is so soft it can be scratched with a fingernail, but baking results in dehydration and hardening of the stone. Some ancient steatite carvings were glazed then fired which produced a mineral (enstatite) hard enough to scratch glass. Currently, soapstone is used for laboratory countertops and fireplace facings.
Synonyms and Related Terms
soapstone; talc; enstatite (after firing); huashi (Chin.); Steatit (Deut.); esteatita (Esp.); stéatite (Fr.); pierre savon (Fr.); esteatito (Port.); pedra-sabão (Port.); French chalk; Spanish chalk; lard stone; pot-stone; pot stone
| 1 |
| 2.7-2.8 |
| 1.539; 1.589; 1.589 |
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Last updated on: 3/13/2010 5:41:10 PM
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