You May Have This Amazing Stone in Your Home

Did you ever wonder how, for many centuries, Inuit Americans kept their feet warm at night as they slept in igloos? The answer may be closer to your home than you might imagine. The Inuit and other Native American nations, along with other ancient civilizations around the world, used a mineral that is most commonly called soapstone. A cousin to talc, soapstone is also called steatite. It is so ubiquitous that it is found on every continent except Antarctica. Among its marvelous qualities, soapstone absorbs a great deal of heat from, for instance, an oven or fireplace, without becoming too hot to hold. Then it can be inserted at the foot of a bed to warm your toes long into the night.

Modern Uses of Soap Stone

Cultures that preceded ours used this mineral for many purposes: cooking, architecture, storage vessels and official seals. As human technology advanced, more uses for soapstone developed. Today, soapstone is used as a form of ceramics. It is commonly used to make floor tiles, basins and architectural features. One of the most beautiful, functional uses of this stone is for kitchen countertops. The material is “non-wettable,” meaning liquids cannot permeate its surface. Thus, nothing spilled on such a countertop will leave any sort of stain. Imperfections can be sanded to smooth. You can check out information about this at soapstone countertops Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania.

Artistic Uses of Soapstone

Because it is impervious, soapstone is often used as a surface in laboratories, which is pretty close to having an almost sacred significance to modern humans. This correlates to its previous uses since soapstone was used by various societies to create religious symbols. The mammoth “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Brazil is coated with soapstone. Using soapstone to create lasting artifacts dates back at least 3000 years. The material is easily carved and gains a beautiful patina over decades and centuries.