I think it must really depend on the variety of soapstone you have and how hard it is. We have had Beleza counters (from Dorado Soapstone in Austin, Texas) in place for about a year and a half and haven't seen any chipping (touch wood). But Beleza is very hard for soapstone, I think. We aren't all that careful (and have two teenagers in the house, who certainly aren't).

Regarding discoloration around the sink, thank you so much, Cheri, Springwater, Cleo, and Donka! Your comments put my mind at ease...it seems the variety of solutions are pretty simple when there is a bit of splotching. I'm not interested in keeping the original light grey, but of finding some compromise between that and the freshly oiled, darkest look (unless the darkest look is a charcoal as opposed to black). Scoll down a bit on this thread to see a soapstone that is very appealing to me: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0110311030000.html?11 While it's perhaps a tad darker than I like, there's a certain "warmth" to her soapstone or maybe the word is softness (and yes, I want a harder variety but that soapstone looks...ok maybe cozy is the word?). ;) I haven't completely ruled out caesarstone as an alternative but I'm still hoping to find the best compromise in soapstone. AB honed granite just has too many issues. Ellabee, thank you for being so helpful! I appreciate the info you shared on harder varieties! Re. finding my old posts, I've been googling and saving my threads but the problem is that for whatever reason, when I click on them later, I can't respond to those that have been kind enough to respond - if I do it that way. So then I feel so rude for not being able to reply! But I get these windows of opportunity (3 small kids so always falling asleep at the laptop when I DO have time to do this stuff!) and those windows seem to close before I can figure all this stuff out. Thanks very much for the link to the other thread on NW posters that have soapstone! I've saved that link as well. I hope I didn't complain about people not providing email addresses (what whiner!)...but yes I know I wrote something about it. It's funny - I was sure mine was set up and thanks to YOU, I see that wasn't the case. So I hopefully fixed that now. Thanks again everyone! I'm *hoping* to have my 3 countertop/backsplash choices narrowed down to at least 2 by tomorrow, and 1 by Monday night!!! My contractor emailed me and said let's get on it. SO HARD deciding between soapstone, stainless and wood for countertops! They're all so beautiful if done right (and with the apron sink, classic faucet, a very nice backsplash and wood floors)! :)

Interesting: I am leaning towards installing an Elkay EGUH2816 sink (http://www.elkayusa.com/cps/rde/xchg/elkay/hs.xsl/elkay-res-97621.aspx). The installation instructions copied below specify a 1/2" positive reveal for "aesthetic" reasons: Warning: the enclosed cutout template will create a countertop opening that will expose approximately 1/2" of sink rim ledge. It is recommended that you discuss this with your customer and agree that this finished appearance is the desired effect. Due to the aesthetic qualities of the converging bowl radii, the template furnished with each sink provides the only opening recommended for installation of Elkay undermount sinks. See illustration above. Here is a link that might be useful: Elkay installation instructions

Hi- We have soapstone countertops, but no soapstone sink. I went with a silgranit sink (Blanco) because I knew I didn't want stainless, and at the time I was choosing sinks I didn't really consider getting a soapstone one (I'm not sure why). We've only had our countertops since the end of July, and have really only been using the kitchen completely for about 2 weeks. Sometimes I wish I had gotten a soapstone sink, because they are sooooo beautiful and I think the idea of having integral runnels on the side of the countertop is such a great idea. But-I think I'm glad I didn't go that route, mainly because I'm clumsy, I bang things around in the sink a lot, and I think I would be making lots of little nicks and chips. Our soapstone is sort of middle of the road with respect to hardness, as far as I can tell, but I think I would have driven myself (and DH) crazy if the sink were also soapstone. But that's just me. I do LOVE the countertops, though. HTH