Very slick stone with a slippery feel Composed of the mineral talc Colors include ivory, brown, gold, rust, rose, greenish-gray Very soft; can be easily cut
(or Steatite) is a soft easily carved metamorphic rock that is a granular form of the mineral Talc The natural colors range from gray to green It has a soap like feel and resists heat and acids You may already have some in your home since it is used to make sinks and laundry tubs
> Soapstone or steatite is a natural, soft stone Its high talc content contributes to its softness and makes it easy to carve It has therefore been widely used for fine carvings There are many varieties of soapstone in a wide range of colors One of the major areas from which Chinese soapstone is obtained is the region around Shoushan in Fujian province One of the most famous of the stones mined in this area is tianhuang, a rich yellow soapstone much sought after for seals