Ok, here is the 'Green Soapstone' Granite I am looking at--Pics

southern_2008

15 years ago

After all my threads, here is a picture of the green soapstone granite that I am looking at. They are calling this "green soapstone" although they will say it is NOT a soapstone. It has the look, but not the issues of the dings, scratches, etc. From reading the other posts, I assume this is the serpentine that everyone talks about. However, like I asked in my other post, if I like the color (and it's honed,although you can't tell in these pics)..is there any reason why I shouldn't go with this? Maintenance or otherwise? It is harder than a soapstone. Please advise quickly. I am hoping for some fabricators/rock experts to weigh in as well as anyone that actually has this installed... Thank you!

http://www.marble.com/stone/Green,Soapstone,496.html

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Comments (15)

fran1523
15 years ago
Whether it's soapstone or granite, that is a seriously beautiful stone. If I had seen that when I was looking, I would have bought it in a heartbeat.
stephand
15 years ago
I'm definitely NOT AN EXPERT - but that looks like soapstone to me. It looks like the variety named Julia (search Julia on this site) and I found a similar looking soapstone at a couple stone shops here. I've heard that Julia is a harder soapstone.

I purchased soapstone called Original Green (but I didn't see any green until it was in my home, oiled and under lights!) It does have thin white veining, different from your variety but it is also a harder variety. I've dinged it twice on the edge but I've yet to scratch it.

Good Luch with your decision. I know it's a difficult one. ;)
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lanugget
15 years ago
This looks a lot like the Finlandia soapstone I am having installed next Monday. Here is what my slab looks like:
kelleg69
15 years ago
In the comments section, it says "green soapstone." Where does it say it is a granite? If it really is, I would love to know more about it!
bradleyj
15 years ago
It looks like serpentine, which is a marble-type product. Serpentine is harder, but not as dense as soapstone and has the same issues of staining, etc., with serpentine as you would with marble.

PS -- its gorgeous!
southern_2008
Original Author
15 years ago
This is exactly what I think it is--serpentine. Yes, they do call it a granite--again, artistic license as I've learned about this industry now. So, it's not a soapstone OR a granite but they call it a "green soapstone granite". I purposely didn't pick marble (even though I LOVE it) because I knew how messy my two boys and I are, and thought we would ruin it in no time (also because I am going with a bit more rustic of a look and can't use white marble). It is gorgeous. However, I a tempted to just to the verde tunas granite (polished) which might be a nice contrast to my matte slate floor and matte stone wall. Also, I know exactly what I am getting. I am afraid with the serpentine I would stain it or etch it if it's like a marble. I have hounded the granite people (IMC-a HUGE granite yard)about this and they also have it in a leathered finish and then this honed finish. Verde Tunas isn't my dream granite or anything but it's calm enough (reads like a solid color and won't compete with what I've got going on) that it might "go the best". Everybody says how gorgeous this is, yet no one has picked it for their kitchen. That being said, I am wondering if there are a lot of people who do actually have this "green soapstone" granite that think they have soapstone (though you couldn't oil it)???
southern_2008
Original Author
15 years ago
lanugget

Yes,that looks the very same. It did however have a different feel that soapstone and the granite people were upfront in saying it ISN'T a soapstone, even though it says Soapstone on the label. On the other hand, they say they can't keep it in stock.
southern_2008
Original Author
15 years ago
bump
ramses_2
15 years ago
It doesn't really look like serpentine to me. I've had green empress marble(serpentine)counters for years now and I can assure you that you can't stain or etch it easily(or even try really, really hard)....it's very, very user friendly.(Oil, wine, lemon, vinegar friendly) Oh and no nicks and few scratches. And seriously, NO staining.

It does however look like soapstone.
lanugget
15 years ago
Hi - I hope it's not too late, here are the pictures of my counters that asked to see. They look very similar to the "green soapstone granite" that you have been looking at.
positano
15 years ago
Wow, that looks great Lanugget! Is it really a soapstone or granite? Where did you get it?
mahatmacat1
15 years ago
Wow, wow, wow...is that oiled or natural? I really think I would have gotten that if it had been around when I was choosing...*sigh*
lanugget
15 years ago
Hi, I was told at the stoneyard that it is soapstone from Finland, so that's what I'm going with.

It has been oiled one time, but honestly it looks almost the same as before it was oiled.
southern_2008
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for submitting the photos. From my exhaustive research, this is NOT a soapstone (oil will make no difference--it is the same color all the time). It is labeled/marketed as "Finlandia soapstone", "Italian granite", "granite" and "marble-like". I've also seen it as something else, but my post-Thanksgiving brain can't remember right now.

Lanuggest, that looks exactly like what I have been looking at!! Thank you!! It is gorgeous. However, I think it is too vivid for what else I have going on in the kitchen, but I am sooo tempted....

How has it been maintenance-wise, so far??
bodiCA
15 years ago
and one piece cut to continue the pattern is spectacular! Was the sink L-shaped piece tricky to transport and install?

Ok, here is the 'Green Soapstone' Granite I am looking at--Pics

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