Dear Francy and Ben: If M. Teixeira Soapstone had been responsible for templating, fabricating and installing your countertops, we would definitely replace your tops, or better yet, ensured to never have installed a cracked material to begin with. From what you are describing, the slabs were purchased in August and only installed 6 months later, who knows how it was stored, how many times it was moved around, how it was handled, was it hit with a fork lift, cracked then repaired?There are just too many possibilities here. We, as professional and exclusive soapstone fabricators, would not ever have worked with a cracked slab or installed a countertop after it was cracked, even if it was cracked in transit on the way to your home. The fabricator/installer is fully responsible to inspect the material before it is installed or fabricated. Should this slab had been cracked originally, the fabricators responsibility would have been to contact the supplier(M.Teixeira) immediately to get the slab replaced. Unfortunately we cannot be responsible for products that left our warehouse 6 months ago, specially if they were stored and fabricated by a third party, for the reasons explained above. Because I am a human being, and can understand your frustration, I will authorize a considerable discount on another slab, should your fabricator decide to replace it. The Santa Barbara is our most expensive and least available material, it is a rare stone that is no longer being quarried, although we still have some stock left in our NJ and CA warehouses. Feel free to call me directly toll free at 877-478-8170, should you need further assistance. Sincerely, Rogerio M. Teixeira M. Teixeira Soapstone SOAPSTONES.COM

For terible... I live in Coral Springs, Fl. (Broward County- west of Ft. Lauderdale) and have been communicating with Mimi (Joshua's wife?). They are so gracious and helpful it's unbelieveable. I never thought I was a soapstone kinda girl since my kitchen style is by no means classic, country, or rustic. More casual/contemporary/natural maple. BUT... I'm drawn toward the stones that have lots of veining. You all have drawn me into your web with the thoughts of the velvety feel and matte finish. I still don't know if it'll work with my kind of kitchen and all the earth tones in my home but I'm strongly considering some kind of soapstone variety for my perimeter cabs. Anyone have pics of Brazilian Rainforest? I think it's a little lighter which I may prefer for my application. Anyway.. don't let the distance stop you from using Joshua. I hope I DO want the soapstone because I'd love to use them.

I definitely got some funky rings and watermarks especially in the beginning, but interestingly mostly around the sink, and not other areas. I have Minas, which is pretty soft...and I recently graduated from the oil to the wax because I found the oil dissapated more quickly. I still get some spots around the sink where it comes in contact with soap and that cuts through the wax. My ss was finished to 80 grit...per my (soapstone only) fabricator. I know others here have had it as high as the 300s...but then it can be a 'fussier' finish from what I understand. I have been tempted to take the grit up slightly higher (like maybe 150) to acheive a smoother finish. But I'm a chicken in the end. Not sure about the sticky part - it's especially odd if you used the same product on your other soapstone surfaces. You can definitely let it go gray by using just about any dishsoap and a sponge to remove much of the wax. That would take some elbow grease though! Keep us posted.

Thank you so much Pluckymama. That is a great help (and you are right, they do look great). I am off tomorrow to see a few more slabs of SS (Minas and Beleza) and will take another look at the Nordic Black. The Mumbai Grey SS that I took a sample of is doing the same watermark thing you are experiencing (and wow, the mineral oil only holds for a day at most). Soapstone International has told me it has to do with the finish (which they 400 grit, but that sounded kind of crazy considering). As I was thinking about the watermark issue, I just wondered if anyone has tried carnuba wax? I say this because it is used on cars (stay with me), and on the glossy coating of candy (like M&Ms). My thinking? Food grade, OK. And if it buffs to the point that it protects car exteriors, it is obviously durable.