I would love to tackle this one.

Soapstone from different quarries comes out polished differently. Some softer varieties tend to have a silky feel, but can have sanding marks on them. Harder varieties are polished up too high and are smoother but shinier. Granite fabricators tend not to touch the top of stone while most soapstone only fab guys take it to the next level and finish off the top as well as the edges. One reason why granite guys are usually the only ones to under bid a soapstone only guy, we do more to make it look better and perform better in your home.

Your showroom examples probably are because someone didn't take the time to finish the top properly, your samples are because they are usually cut from scrap or left over pieces, which can be finished or not finished rough or smooth. We try to send only samples that match our finish because it gives a proper example of what the customer gets. I can see how easy it would be to send out samples of the stone and not finish it off though. It does take up alot of time to finish samples this way.

thanks - so I guess you are saying that a piece of soapstone in my kitchen should not have that roughness to it - that it will get sanded down.

I've only seen one example of an actual countertop in a showroom that has been rough. The people who worked there knew virtually nothing about s/stone. I really don't understand why they'd put it in there if they don't want to sell it. Maybe it was to discourage sales of it??