SOAPSTONE
Soapstones are crystalline-textured, talc-rich
metamorphic rocks. Essentially pure talcose soapstone is called steatite
("soapstone" and "steatite" are sometimes considered
synonyms). Being composed of talc (magnesium hydroxy-silicate - Mg3Si4O10(OH)2),
soapstone has a soapy feel and is very soft - it is easily scratched.
Soapstone (steatite) (5 cm across) - this is commercial-grade steatite.
This rock comes from a quarry owned by Steatite of Southern Oregon, apparently
located near the crest of Elliott Creek Ridge (sections 9-11, T41S, R3W, Squaw
Lakes 7.5' USGS topographic quadrangle) in far-southwestern Jackson County,
southwestern Oregon, USA.
Location:
apparently at about 42° 0' 57" North, 123° 2' 11" West.
Steatite in the Elliott Creek Ridge area has a
metamorphic date of 141 million years (early Early Cretaceous). It formed by metamorphic alteration of
serpentinized peridotites/ultramafites.