| Steatite is a soft metamorphic rock composed mostly of the mineral talc. It is dense and close grained, with practically no stratification or natural cleavage lines and has a high transverse strength and high resistance to crushing.
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| What makes this rock so nice for carving is that in its natural form, Steatite is light gray in color. However, when carved, poished, sealed with wax or oil and heated its color turns to a deep, rich hue of black. Its texture is "soapy" to the touch, much like pipestone or soapstone.
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| On Mohs Scale of Hardness Steatite has a range of 2 to 5 because it is a rock rather than a mineral. It composition includes hydrous magnesium silicates.
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| You can also check out our Minnesota Pipestone for carving that special pipe by clicking on the pipestone button at either the top or bottom of this page.
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