Soft Stone: Workable Beauty from the Earth
"Soft stone" refers to a category of naturally occurring rocks and minerals characterized by their relative softness on the Mohs hardness scale (typically between 1 and 3). This key property makes them significantly easier to carve, shape, and work with hand tools compared to harder stones like granite or quartz.
Common Examples & Key Features:
Soapstone (Steatite/Talc-Schist): Perhaps the best-known soft stone. Composed primarily of talc, it feels soapy or waxy to the touch. Highly heat-resistant and non-porous.
Alabaster (Gypsum-based): A fine-grained, translucent variety of gypsum. Prized for its beauty when carved thinly and sometimes backlit. Can be scratched with a fingernail.
Certain Serpentines: Some varieties are soft enough to carve easily and take a beautiful polish. (Note: Some serpentines contain asbestos, requiring caution when working).
Pyrophyllite: Similar in appearance and workability to soapstone.
Why S…