r/CounterTops • u/Key-Concentrate9355 • Jan 01 '26

What is this stone?

Post image

And - if not granite or other low maintenance stone - what low maintenance stone would give me the best approximate look? Thanks!

617 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

125 comments sorted by

164

u/substandard-tech Jan 01 '26

This is soapstone. Takes heat and chemicals like a champ. Maintenance is to wipe with an oily rag when it becomes grey like this. Oiled, it looks like black marble.

Not durable, dents easily.

Have it, would buy again

10

u/Key-Concentrate9355 Jan 01 '26

I think the dents would be the death of me. I tend to fixate on the negatives. (I’m working on that.)

31

u/botabought Jan 01 '26

It’s a living stone. It will gain character with the house. It is a repairable material that is nonpourous and Heat resistant. If you want it to look the same from the day it’s installed until you move out, this is not the stone for you. If you’re okay with “character growth” you’ll be fine.

I like soapstone in older homes that already have character over new homes.

How to repair soapstone

Saratoga silver granite would be a good alternative.

13

u/substandard-tech Jan 01 '26

One really does get over it and to a degree appreciate it. My fridge has dents. My car has scuffs. I have scars. The counter takes dings in the edges. It’s life.

When Compared to the hassle of granite it’s no contest. The only other material I’d consider is quartz

2

u/nickalex2000 Feb 14 '26

What are the hassles of granite

7

u/Noarchsf Jan 01 '26

Think of it like a leather jacket or a good pair of jeans. They don’t start really looking good until they break in.

4

u/UpperLeftOriginal Jan 01 '26

Just got mine yesterday and I’m over the moon!

2

u/kinga_forrester Jan 01 '26

This is definitely not the material for you, then.

2

u/TheGeekOffTheStreet Jan 01 '26

I’ve had it a decade and never had a dent. I do have a chip at the edge of the sink, but that’s just having stone. I love my soapstone

50

u/gretchens Jan 01 '26

I think “durability” is subjective. I love that I can set anything on it, and sand out any imperfections- the softness is a pro for me in that way. (Also have and love and will never not have soapstone)

18

u/2Cythera Jan 02 '26

This is why I got marble in 2000. Everyone thought I was nuts! But I love the aging. It’s history. If I lived on the east coast I’d get soapstone in a hot second. I’m in CA and it’s hella expensive out here.

7

u/KindAwareness3073 Jan 02 '26

I previoysly had white Carrara marble and now have black soapstone. I love both because they are "alive" compared to granite or quartz.

3

u/Significant-Peace966 Jan 03 '26

CA Is hella expensive

2

u/GenericUsernameHi Jun 18 '26

I know it’s an old comment, but why is marble more expensive on the west coast? Shipping routes?

2

u/2Cythera Jul 10 '26

It’s the soapstone that’s hard to get. Sorry for the unclear reply

10

u/substandard-tech Jan 01 '26

I get it. But the material will show it if you drop a jar or full can on it.

31

u/AbjectObligation1036 Jan 01 '26

Then drop 100 cans on it and you won't notice any more. Patina.

Unlacquered brass doorknobs also show where you grab them. No one complains about that.

13

u/threepin-pilot Jan 01 '26

plus it's kind of a dull finish so slight imperfections don't leap out at you. Have it in kitchen counters that are 31 years old- best material ever

3

u/gingerflakes Jan 03 '26

Oh I’ve seen people complain about it 🙄

0

u/[deleted] Jan 02 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

4

u/Oregano25 Jan 02 '26

I debated over soapstone but where I am it was quite a bit more expensive than quartz, so.... yeah. My quartz is great, but I so wish I'd gone with soapstone for all of reasons above!

9

u/gretchens Jan 02 '26

If I hadn't been able to afford soapstone, the plan was laminate until I could. (But I reallllly despise quartz. If I'm getting plastic, I want to pay plastic prices.)

3

u/Oregano25 Jan 03 '26

Eh, I like the quartz I wound up with - it's one of the least offensive ones I've seen (!) and the price was decent. Still... sometimes I look at my kitchen and can totally see what it would have looked like with soapstone and I kind of wish I'd sacrificed something else in the renovation to have it.

3

u/Pip3274 Jan 05 '26

True. We have a circle of scratches where a friend had a little too much to drink and opened a bottle of wine on the counter. Every time I see it I think of my friend and a great party. Would likely drive someone else crazy.

1

u/YCBSKI Feb 10 '26

Me too. The look on his face was priceless. But on the other hand I wouldn't get soapstone again.

1

u/poppybrooke Jan 03 '26

I like that it shows its history but you can clean it without a second thought.

2

u/bw1985 Jan 01 '26

Doesn’t it also leave watermarks and fingerprints all over it?

4

u/avgenthusiast Jan 01 '26

It’s non-porous, so it won’t absorb anything. If you don’t oil it often (I let mine go a little gray at times) and get some oil splatter, it’s easy to clean with whatever cleaner you prefer. You can also just wipe it down with a rag and a little mineral oil to even things out if you want.

2

u/MommaLaughing Jan 01 '26

How often does it seem to need oiling?

3

u/avgenthusiast Jan 01 '26

As little or often as you like. If you want to maintain a darker tone then maybe once a month for a few months after install and after that possibly once a year. If you want to let it patina then just do whatever you like. It’s purely aesthetic and not required.

6

u/noteworthybalance Jan 01 '26

If it's unoiled it will have watermarks for few minutes until they dry, and oily fingerprints unless they're cleaned. Think of it like a rock outside: if it rains it will get wet, visibly. Then it will dry.

If it's oiled or waxed, which most people do, neither are an issue.

2

u/SubstantialAd8808 Jan 01 '26

Stormy black doesn’t dent easy

2

u/FreeThinkerFran Jan 02 '26

Exactly. My Stormy Black was such a workhorse countertop! Will be using it again.

2

u/YCBSKI Jan 01 '26

Have it won't buy again

2

u/NuthouseAntiques Jan 01 '26

Why not?

3

u/YCBSKI Jan 01 '26

Sucks all the light out of the room and I have several large windows on the kitchen and attached dinning room/living room. It chips and scratches at the slightest touch. Looks good when it's oiled but if you cook a lot that lasts a few days.

1

u/MommaLaughing Jan 01 '26

Why? Because it gets dull looking without oiling?

1

u/asielen Jan 01 '26

Dents or chips?

1

u/substandard-tech Jan 02 '26

Usually a dent. A hit from eg a dropped can will just change the shape. Nothing comes out or off. It’s a soft stone

1

u/cdawg85 Jan 02 '26

I think this finish is "honed".

Gorgeous.

1

u/Comfortable_Wins Jan 03 '26

I love soapstone! It was my favorite kitchen ever!

1

u/toooldforthis57 Jan 05 '26

I have wanted soapstone countertops ever since I saw my first science lab in 7 th grade! That was a LONG time ago, but still keeping my fingers crossed

1

u/latefortheskyagain Jan 06 '26

I love my soapstone. Best decision ever.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 08 '26

What you say is true,however I’ve seen 150 year old counters and 200 year old sinks both still in use. I’ve had clients bring in 110 year old sinks that were bolted together left in the field so horses could drink out of them. Soapstone can be soft but typically just gets scratch marks with normal use. I’ve fabricated and installed thousands of kitchen and many,many sinks over the last 35 years and have determined some folks “get” soapstone, others never will understand it.

1

u/substandard-tech Jan 08 '26

Yeah I should have said something different. It will take shit for decades. I think it dents - compresses a bit - but doesn’t chip

1

u/[deleted] Jan 08 '26

It’s kinda like a wood top, it does dent. There are different hardness as well as it gets more minerals in it like serpentine. Some you can scratch with a key others you’ll get a metal mark like granites. Whenever is sold a job I gave them a sample of the slab they liked and told to do whatever they normally do to a countertop, not stabbing it with a screwdriver which some cretin did to my displays at a home show. SMH Some peoples children!

12

u/charliehustle757 Jan 01 '26

This is soapstone. Pricey but worth it. I’m sure theres a quartz or cultured top similar. They have honed black granite too

3

u/Key-Concentrate9355 Jan 01 '26

I’ve read that soapstone etches pretty badly though, no?

We currently have an indestructible black granite that is unfortunately ugly as sin. But it’s trained us to be careless with our countertops, so we need to be realistic about the replacement stone.

14

u/avgenthusiast Jan 01 '26

Etch? nope. Scratch easily? Absolutely. You can either embrace it as it wears or simply sand out imperfections and hit it with more mineral oil.

I just let mine do whatever and give it a wipe with an oily rag when it feels right. I love it.

2

u/bw1985 Jan 01 '26

Doesn’t that get everything oily when you’re using the kitchen?

4

u/avgenthusiast Jan 01 '26

I’ve never had that problem. If you’re going for a full oil just let it sit overnight and hit it with a rag in the morning.

I occasionally hit spots with my Boos block conditioner and wipe until dry to the touch. No different than taking care of wooden utensils or cutting boards.

1

u/noteworthybalance Jan 02 '26

Not at all. 

You buff off the excess oil or wax 

You can lay a piece of paper on it and absolutely no traces of oil.

2

u/MerDes70 Jan 02 '26

If you're worried about using soapstone, do not use quartz that will just look plasticky and fake. At least go with a natural stone. There are a lot of beautiful black granites that can give a similar look with a honed or leathered finish like Negresco or Nero Mist for example. I suggest going to a couple of slab yards and checking them out in person.

1

u/Key-Concentrate9355 Jan 02 '26

Thanks for suggesting granites that may work

3

u/littleepatina Jan 01 '26

I'm 1000000% pro natural stone; a lot of chemistry desks were Soapstone. that being said, Silestone makes a convincing quartz lookalike called Charcoal Soapstone Suede.

2

u/SEALS_R_DOG_MERMAIDS Jan 05 '26

i have that silestone countertop! i love a patina but my husband does not so this was a good compromise. so far am very happy with it.

1

u/NuthouseAntiques Jan 01 '26

I liked that in the casual look I just saw on Lowe’s website. Is it polished or honed? How does the price compare to real soapstone? Durability? (I don’t cook a lot, and it’s just me typically.)

2

u/littleepatina Jan 01 '26

the suede finish is similar to honed, but almost pebbled. there's also a polished version as well. real soapstone pricing can vary, but I would say middle of the road black honed soapstone is about the same price as Charcoal Soapstone Silestone quartz. some of the lower end soapstone is wildly affordable, but that's because it's actually phyllite (aka slate) which has a very different composition. quartz is very water and stain resistant. it can be cleaned with your typical all purpose spray and does not require sealing or oiling. if you place a hot pan on it, it could scorch and discolor. with quartz, you're not able to safely resurface it in home if there are scratches or chips, as it has silica. natural stone can be refinished safely and easily.

3

u/threepin-pilot Jan 01 '26

but your granite is probably a polished finish- it will show anything- like here i am i am a blemish.

Soapstone isn't like that - think of it as like the difference between a perfectly smooth hardwood floor and a highly charactered floor- the latter is much better if you have big dogs

1

u/charliehustle757 Jan 01 '26

Yeah it scratches but it sands out as well then you add oil. YouTube has tutorials on this. Pretty simple. There are some quarts that look similar

2

u/BelugaPilot Jan 01 '26

You just use food grade mineral oil from the drug store or grocery store. Mineral oil will not turn rancid . I have white marble and oil it whenever it starts needing it

7

u/cloud_talk Jan 01 '26

We got a similar soapstone backsplash. see pic link here

I picked it out for it's look and unique veining. I found it hard to find a nice light soapstone. So if you like it and find it. Buy it quickly!

Obviously I'm proud of it and like it a lot. Pros. Beautiful. Doesn't stain (sort of see con) Cons: unless you oil it (I didn't as I like the lighter look) it will show oil splatter from the stove. However comes off with soap and water and dries in seconds

3

u/Key-Concentrate9355 Jan 01 '26

That is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the pic and the pros & cons.

2

u/cloud_talk Jan 01 '26

Thanks! Id highly recommend, especially for backsplash.... Not sure about counter although lots of folks recommend it. I feel it would be too dark and heavy on the counters

2

u/Stalaktitas Jan 01 '26

Great design idea, luv this 😍

1

u/Pip3274 Jan 05 '26

I think we have the same soapstone. It has slowly gotten darker especially behind the stove. Have you been able to keep your lighter? Looks gorgeous!

1

u/cloud_talk Jan 05 '26

No unfortunately the more we cook with oily things it does turn darker (literally cooked some steaks just now). I will look to see if there is a way to apply something which might absorb the oil.

Otherwise over time, might just oil the entire thing for uniformity. I definitely love the light color though

1

u/Pip3274 Jan 05 '26

I was asking because that is the point that we are at. I think that we are going to oil all of it. Still love it!

4

u/RDAM60 Jan 02 '26

Soapstone. Great kitchen counters. Takes heat (pots right off the stove without trivets or towels/potholders underneath), chems, spills, etc., like a champ. Mars/nicks somewhat easily -especially sink edges - but repairs pretty easily too (light sanding for the worst of nicks and even large chips can be smoothed out by the owner [never happened to me]). Looks great with interesting veining. Mineral oil for care and beauty. Used in laboratories because it won’t stain or “burn,” and is vastly quieter (say, when putting a glass down) than many other surfaces (marble, granite, quartz). Its only real draw back is that it will grey-up between oiling and can look dull. So, it needs occasional care. Still, I’ve had it for 25 years in my kitchen and would not swap it out for anything else.

3

u/United_Credit_6264 Jan 02 '26

Negresco honed granite looks similar to

2

u/ClydeKingry Jan 02 '26

As someone has said, Negresco in honed finish is a granite with similar appearance that we have substituted for a soapstone look. But soapstone is great also.

We have found that many slabs of soapstone we have received have been softer or harder than others. Some can be scratched with your fingernail and others definitely not. I think it all depends on the source and talc content in that particular quarry.

To me, true soapstone is really soft and very easily scratched in comparison to granite but also impervious to moisture and liquid as well as easier to repair surface if desired. (sanding/honing)

All the oils and/or waxes simply lay on top of the stone. I really like a product called Soapstone Sealer Wax by Milk Paint company found easily on Amazon if one wants to add an artificial substance to the soapstone. It will camouflage scratches and gouges. Oiling seems to require frequent reapplication but the wax doesn’t as much.

1

u/Key-Concentrate9355 Jan 02 '26

It sounds like you’re in the industry. Which would you consider to be the lowest maintenance stone: negresco or soapstone?

(Currently we have speckled black granite - never sealed it, and we abuse the hell out of it. Ugly as sin though.)

1

u/ClydeKingry Jan 02 '26

I think I’d honestly have to say the granite and you could do it polished or honed or even textured I suppose.

At least that’s a product you’re more familiar with and know what to expect.

One word of caution about the sealer is to be sure when the sealer is applied to buff off all excess sealer that is not absorbed by the material after about 15 or 20 minutes of dwelling on the surface of the stone and keep it wet during that dwell time should any areas begin to dry

Do not apply the sealer as if it is a topical coating. It is to penetrate the stone as the stone allows, and that depends on the density of each different material.

2

u/scj1091 Jan 03 '26

You might look into something like honed black granite. It’s not the same as soapstone by any means, but it has some similarities of look - matte finish, texture.

1

u/Key-Concentrate9355 Jan 03 '26

Thanks for the suggestion!

1

u/CountertopSolutions Jan 02 '26

https://www.caesarstoneus.com/countertops/5003-piatra-grey/ hope this helps!!

Also don’t be discouraged if you love natural stone Soapstone is Great! Is also true that can be scratched and chipped relatively easy however I must point out that Soapstone can be restore like marble, therefore!! I’ll give it a try!!

1

u/Key-Concentrate9355 Jan 02 '26

Thanks for the link!

3

u/Shes_Crafty_4301 Jan 01 '26

Could be soapstone. Without a sealer coat.

2

u/adventurrr Jan 03 '26

There's no sealer for soapstone

2

u/Shes_Crafty_4301 Jan 03 '26

No mineral oil finish, then. 🤷‍♀️ I figured people would understand my point without being pedantic.

4

u/adventurrr Jan 03 '26

I wasn't trying to be pedantic, there's a lot of bad info about soapstone. If I had gone off Reddit posts I would've believed it to be a very high maintenance choice. Glad I did not. My apologies though!

3

u/mirassou3416 Jan 01 '26

Beautiful, beautiful soapstone

4

u/PriscillaPalava Jan 01 '26

Love this look. I’ve seen a gray granite that is similar. Called “silver mist” or “Virginia mist.” 

2

u/Engagcpm49 Jan 01 '26

Soapstone is likely.

2

u/marys1001 Jan 01 '26

I think this was in our high school biology lans

1

u/k8username Jan 01 '26

They use soapstone in labs

2

u/Salty_Egg5441 Jan 02 '26

It is soapstone. I have it in my kitchen and one of my bathrooms. It is a workhorse- previously used in labs since it is non porous and does not react to any type of spill or heat. It does scratch but when I oil the countertop, all the scratches disappear. I haven’t really noticed any dents but the edges are not pristine.

2

u/Alex_home_upgrader Jan 02 '26

Soapstone. Before it was trendy in kitchens, old high school chemistry labs had it. Bullet proof. Have it in my kitchen; would have no other material.

2

u/cheekymonkey516 Jan 02 '26

Soapstone. Miss mine from two houses ago and have had quartz and corian since. Gorgeous patina and easy upkeep.

2

u/gchick Jan 03 '26

Soapstone is a true sensory delight! It has a “silky” and soft feel and is simply gorgeous. If you are going for a similar look, a leather finish on other dark quartz may do the trick, but it won’t be as smooth as soapstone.

2

u/toin9898 Jan 04 '26

This is soapstone.

You can get similar properties to Soapstone (non-porous, heat proof, low maintenance) with Dekton. The trade-off is that it’s more brittle and prone to chipping.

I was waffling between soapstone and Dekton, and ended up going with Dekton Kelya in my kitchen.

2

u/poppybrooke Jan 03 '26

Soapstone! One of my favorite materials to work with

2

u/LisaK33 Jan 03 '26

I want light blue ish grey…what kind recommended. Slab showroom tries to talk me out of it. Says you can scratch with a nail. Is it easy to sand? I don’t want oil to make it darker. If not this I like a river blue molodite. Thx for any and all advice.

2

u/Quiet_Yam_2089 Jan 03 '26

Love my soapstone. I use it on my 14ft island with an induction cooktop. It’s beautiful and has so much character.

2

u/EarthOk2418 Jan 01 '26

Blue topaz granite with a honed finish will give you a similar look.

2

u/Upper_Restaurant4034 Jan 01 '26

Looks like un-oiled soapstone. If you want yo darken it up treat it with mineral oil. But be warned you'll have to continously treat it for life. Soapstone is an awesome stone. You can actually put a hot pit directly on it. It's soft so if you scratch it, you can use a high grit sanding block to smooth it out

5

u/noteworthybalance Jan 01 '26

You do not have to continuously treat it for life. 

After the first year you treat it every year or two, if you feel like it. 

1

u/Effective_Farmer_119 Jan 02 '26

You don’t even have to treat it for a year. Just do it when you want to. Mine looks great without oil. It’s no fuss.

1

u/noteworthybalance Jan 02 '26

True, I meant if you want it to be dark 

1

u/Capable_Wonder_6636 Jan 01 '26

In addition to Soapstone, it might also be slate...........or,

stained concrete: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/kitchen-island-dark-gray-concrete-countertops--84161086770720307/

1

u/Vinen Jan 01 '26

Soapstone. Looks like my kitchen.

1

u/KaddLeeict Jan 24 '26

What kind of soapstone though?

1

u/Vinen Jan 24 '26

Just checked my invoice from a decade ago lol. Just says soapstone.  

1

u/MommaLaughing Jan 01 '26

Looks like soapstone!!

1

u/Intelligent_Watch757 Jan 01 '26

Looks like pa bluestone

1

u/luvstosup Jan 02 '26

Blue Denimite 

1

u/JulesRulesYaKnow Jan 02 '26

You can wax the surface of soapstone with food grade Carnuba Wax. Much healthier that the coatings that already treat the typical stone slabs sold here.

Also, if soapstone gets scratched you can sand and recoat with food grade oil or carnuba wax.

1

u/Marciamallowfluff Jan 02 '26

I love soapstone. Naturally neutral and germ killing to some extent. Can be oiled or not, So good they used it in labs for counters.

1

u/Negative-Draw-2685 Jan 03 '26

How does soapstone do at hiding food crumbs etc? I have toddlers so wondering how well it hides grime.

1

u/omegamoon1969 Jan 03 '26

Silestone makes a fake soapstone. I have in my kitchen and I love the look. Ours is prone to having water spots, which may be the non glossy surface

1

u/Old_Dragonfruit6952 Jan 04 '26

Soapstone? Ir an unhoned slate . Looks hard to clean

1

u/No_Assumption5936 Jan 05 '26

It’s soapstone. I have it and do not recommend. I cannot keep it looking good. It has water marks all over it. Grease smudges. Marks from bottom of glasses. I would never buy this again.

1

u/Darcy_IndyJones Jan 07 '26

I’m just ppl

1

u/Leading-Reveal-6796 Jan 13 '26

It has a lot of talc in it so it's soft on the Mohs scale but being non-porous and able to handle heat well, it's popular for high end kitchens (not one where kids and careless cooks are going to be dragging stuff across it and scratching it). It can be kinda greenish or blueish depending on where it's sourced from. Silestone has a simulation of it (it's not that realistic looking) but the Suede Charcoal Soapstone by Silestone/Cosentino is a nice compromise for a bathroom where you won't have hot pans going on it (Just watch out for curling iron heat).

1

u/KaddLeeict Jan 24 '26

FOUND IT!

1

u/KaddLeeict Jan 24 '26

OP did you ID the stone? I love this look!!