Soapstone (talc schist)
rock · common
Quick facts
- Formula
- — (mixture; talc Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 dominant)
- Hardness
- About 1 (very soft; talc-rich)
- Luster
- Greasy to waxy
- Colors
- Gray to greenish gray
Soapstone is a talc-rich metamorphic rock prized for carving and heat resistance. Its extreme softness and slippery feel are diagnostic.
Scratches with a fingernail and feels distinctly soapy; surfaces are greasy and dull rather than glassy.
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