That there is still so much misinformation about soapstone, amazes me.
Soapstone is NOT hard to care for. You do not HAVE to oil it. It will develop a patina on its own. We chose to oil ours for the first two months, and have since left it alone. Our stone, purchased and installed by M. Teixeira (their NJ location), is now 3 years old. We don’t have any chips. There were a couple of scratches from where my DH slid a cast iron pan, but they have faded.
Oh, and you CAN get a HARD grey stone, with green and white inclusions. We chose Belvedere for it’s hardness and the gorgeous streaks of green, which became more prominent after oiling. We love the tactile smoothness of soapstone, and the fact that it never gets cold in the winter (Long Island, NY).
Soapstone is very easy to clean...just a little soap and water does the trick, or if you prefer, a Clorox wipe works, too. It doesn’t stain or etch.
I agree with the posters above...I would be very leery of purchasing soapstone from a stone yard that is primarily a granite dealer. Most of them are unfamiliar with the properties of soapstone, and insist its soft, no matter the color/style. Many will say soapstone needs to be sealed. The fact is, it should never be sealed, and there is no need to.
Btw, if you’re within a few hours drive of a Teixeira location, I highly recommend making the trip. These guys are pros, and exceedingly patient and helpful.
Q