We have soapstone counters that we put in when we remodeled, almost 7 years ago.

We didn't know we wanted soapstone until we looked at many, many different granites and other choices. In eastern WA, where we live, there were limited places that (at that time) carried soapstone. So we ended up going to Seattle to get our slab. It was a hassle, but we have family over there, so going was not too big a deal. The cost of the slab and the fabrication (which was done locally) was included in our bid.

My main recommendation, and it sounds like you are already doing this, is to get samples and abuse the heck out of them (or just abuse them the way you would use them in your kitchen.) Ours is a softer variety, and if I had known more, I might not have chosen that particular slab. But we love it, and it fits us and our lifestyle.

I have no personal experience with Alberene Soapstone in VA, but we toured their fabrication/stone yard/quarry when we were visiting relatives in 2012 and if we had been closer I would totally have tried to get a slab from there.

HTH

Alberene Soapstone

I am getting ready to do a kitchen reno too and am planning to use Alberene soapstone as well. My fabricator- Artistic Stone Design (richmond, va) is local to me though and they go to Alberene (which is near charlottesville, va) to pick out the slabs they sell. I found very few fabricators in town that carried Alberene stock. But I believe you can order directly from them and have it sent to your fabricator. I am not sure how much that would cost though. Where are you located? Many fabricators carried soapstone from brazil and china. Brazilian soapstone has significantly more veining than the soapstone from alberene. I think there used to be a soapstone query in vermont as well but I don't know that they are querying anymore. I guess you need to narrow in on the look of the soapstone you want as well.

My mom and I both used Bucks County Soapstone for our kitchens. They only source and install soapstone so they are true experts in their field. The seams are absolutely invisible and look like a faint sharp pencil line (literally the thickness of a piece of paper).

My mom got the Franklin edge which is a hand sanded edge-it looks amazing-like it has been in her 260 year old house for as long as the house. It is one of my biggest regrets that I didn't get this edge (although I have hand sanded some of my edges, it doesn't look the same).

If you are anywhere near them, it is absolutely worth the drive. They used to have a mobile shop where they bring the fabrication to you but not sure if they still do that?

I sent templates to Nebraska and got estone tops shipped to Michigan for installation several years ago. I made money and the customers were happy.

Thank you all for sharing. Clarifying or elborating on a few things.

Our home is in Southern Connecticut. We are within driving distance of the greater NYC area - Long Island, NJ & CT. We also have family in the Pittsburgh area who will be helping us with renovations. That might be a potential area to source materials.

The look we are going for is dark, as black as possible with minimal/ subtle veining - ie not high contrast veining.

Our first stop was M Teixeira in NJ. We liked the Church Hill at first until DH spotted the Stormy Black. So far shockingly it's been the hardest least prone to scratching with all the great qualities of soapstone without the downsides.

One suggestion given out at the yard was to use a completely black stone like Church Hill for the counters and use a veiny one like Stormy Black for the island so it stand out. But Church Hill is scratching disappintingly very easily.

I guess what I am wondering is how much difference in cost we might experience over sourcing+fabricating+delivering+installing from the same place. Different yards & fabricators? Am I missing some way of sourcing soapstone & getting it finished for installation. Before going to the yard, DH considered the DIY route since he & his dad are very handy, but he is short on time and we lack manpower as we will be new to the town.

We are in Fairfield County and used M Teixeira in NJ. They were fantastic. We did a lot of research and I highly recommend them templating for you too. Our contractor's company was upset but they said some concerning things to us (high grit and we wanted 80 like the showroom display and they wanted to seal which isn't possible). Stormy Black for 2 years - no chips or dents and the scratches disappear, but it scares company when they slide a stoneware piece or something see a mark. I just love them!

We used Garden State Soapstone in NJ. Jay was fantastic! We cook and bake three times a day on our pretty hard Pinheiros Altos soapstone from Brazil. The counters still look great five years later!

Thank you local folks. It seemed too good to be true that first forray we aesthetically liked the one that is wearing the best!!!

Will be going to Garden State Soapstone too.

I think Stormy Black is one of the hardest varieties. It is what I decided on, but alas, when I went to choose a slab, I fell hopelessly in love with Barrocca, one of the softest stones! A year in and I have chips and scratches and yep, still hopelessly in love.

I live in Canada and I bought my counters from a local stoneyard, but my sink was made and shipped to me from Bucks County.

I can feel the love of soapstone runs deep! We are beyond excited to have the samples on hand & keep feeling it.