SOAPSTONE IS A NATURAL MATERIAL, SURPRISINGLY SUITABLE FOR KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS!  IT IS SOFT AND WILL SCRATCH OVER TIME.  SCRATCHES CAN BE SANDED OUT WITH EXTREMELY FINE SAND PAPER, OR CAN BE CONSIDERED PART OF ITS LIVING PATINA.  SOAPSTONE IS UNAFFECTED BY HEAT AND IS CHEMICALLY NEUTRAL, WHICH MEAN THAT ACIDS WON’T DAMAGE IT.  ITS HIGH DENSITY MAKES IT IMPERVIOUS TO STAINS AND BACTERIA.  A WONDERFUL CHOICE IF YOU LOVE A STONE COUNTERTOP WITH A LOT OF CHARACTER!