Soapstone Resources

• Angels Camp, CA:  Sierra Hills Stone - Supplier of raw soapstone and finished soapstone products and workshops Sierra Hills Stone invites artists, educators and hobbyists to discover sculpting in California soapstone (steatite). Coined the "wonder stone" by Finnish geologists, our colorful, sculpture quality California soapstone, which has been dated at over 90 million years old, is a metamorphic rock which is comprised mostly of the mineral talc. Over time, soapstone forms in layers and since it is a soft rock (1 on mohs scale of hardness) it lends itself easily to carving. All of our stone is laboratory tested for hazardous materials and/or toxins of any kind. Check out our products, workshops, beautiful works of art.  Contact info: Sierra Hills Stone - Visit our many Locations.
  
   
• StoneTrade - About Soapstone Soapstone is a metamorphic stone closely related to Talc and Serpentine (Green Marble). Steatite Soapstone is about as hard as limestone, but much more dense. Soapstone has historically been one of the worlds most widely used dimension stones, for sinks, flooring, sills, and architectural accents, because of its beautiful grey color and its easy workability. It also has remarkable thermal characteristics which set it apart from all other stones.  Soapstone Slabs, Tiles & Carving Stone.  Stone International, Inc.  The Stone Company, 333 Main Street, East Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818 USA, Phone: 401-885-6608 Fax: 401-885-3875, email: Andrews@Stonetrade.com
  
  
• California: Stone Sculptors Supplies has been created by people with a lifetime commitment to the arts and many years of experience catering to the needs of stone carvers.  Carving Stone, Sculptor Supplies, Stone Sculptor Supplies, Rifflers, Rasps, Chisels, Milani, Cuturi, Pneumatic Tools.  See On-line Catalog, Stone Carving Tools  Contact: info@stonesculptorssupplies.com or (760) 489-1424 in San Diego California
  
  
• New Jersey: M. Teixeira Soapstone Supplier -   Exotic Brazilian Soapstone for Carving, Certified Asbestos Free-Supporting Documents On File. This type of soapstone is named "Talc", not to be confused with our Steatite Soapstone used for countertops, sinks and fireplaces. We only sell sculpture quality soapstone with a minimum order of a FCL(20 tons). Containers are shipped directly from Brazil. All orders below 20 tons, in the USA and Canada should contact our Distributors of Brazilian Soapstone for Carving  Contact: roger@soapstones.com 1035 Dearborn rd., Fort Lee, NJ, USA Phone: 201-224-6088 Fax: 201-224-6252.
  
  
• Virginia: Heartwood International's Soapstone Unique to the Blue Ridge, Alberene® soapstone was formed by the massive weight of the world's oldest mountains. Prized by the Monacan and Cherokee people, as well as Virginia's colonial settlers, Alberene® soapstone has been a favorite sculpting stone for centuries. It's workability, durability, and natural resistance to weather and environmental pollution make Alberene® soapstone ideal for modern sculpture and outdoor monuments.  Contact: contact@heartwoodinternational.com or  (800) 452-8251 or (804) 361-1323 in Afton Virginia.
  
  
• Florida: Stone's Sculpture Project See Sculptors below.
  
  
• Junior High Soapstone Sculptures During the three half day sessions, the students learned about 3-dimensional deductive sculpture, practiced spatial thinking and exercised their fine motor skills. The students (grade eight and S1 students - 2 groups of 20 students) used a soapstone from Quebec which was soft and easily cut and carved using handsaws, rasps and files. Instructor Katharina Stieffenhofer is a Winnipeg based artist who works in a variety of media and exhibits on a national/international level.  
  
  
• Canada: The Livingstone Quarry - unique soapstone sculptures, lessons and carving supplies. - unique soapstone sculptures, lessons and carving supplies. - unique soapstone sculptures, lessons and carving supplies. The Livingstone Quarry will sell you the stone, supply the tools and guide you step-by-step as you produce your very own soapstone carving. Find out how easy, satisfying, and inexpensive soft rock carving really is!  Soapstone Carving Instruction & Lessons - Private - Here is your chance to explore a new creative outlet and at the same time make a very special gift for someone. Sculptor's supply of tools: soapstone, chisels, mallets and rifflers.   Instructor -Roy Torney
  
  
• Canada: I just chanced upon your page and will check in from time to time. My husband and I have the care and management of a soapstone quarry in Northwestern Ontario. It is a small family managed quarry for over 35 years and we very much enjoy supplying stone for carvers through purchase as well as trade from time to time. For more information you can contact us through the net at stoneart@kenora.com ) or on our toll - free in U.S. or Canada 1-877-216-1179 for Thorgrimson Stoneart
  
  
• Canada: Cardinal Stoneworks - Supplier of Quality Alabaster and Soapstone Brazilian Soapstone. Available in beautiful greens, some browns and some very dark greens. (Dark greens sell for approximately 20¢ more per pound.)  Brazilian Soapstone Alabaster Varieties, Ordering & Pricing. Contact: phone:  (604) 580-3264, fax:  (604) 580-3222
  
  
• Canada: Sculpture Supply Canada - Supplier of sculpting tools and materials for work in the following mediums: Stone Carving, Clay, Wax, Bronze, Rubber Moulding and Plaster. Contact: sales@sculpturesupply.com
  
  
• Bedrock Stone Supply Ltd. - bedrocksupply.com We are a family-owned, dynamic business in the business of providing a huge selection of carving stone for the amateur, semi-professional and professional stone artists. 9617 - 63 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6E 0G2, Canada, Tel: 780-434-2040, Fax: 780-436-3294.
  
  
• Pre-cut soapstone figures - Cut in Canada, from Brazilian soapstone, these figures give children and adults a "head-start" in carving. With the use of water , the Animals of North America are waiting to be cut, rasped, smoothed and waxed. When finished, the true colour of the seemingly grey stone "magically" appears. Includes a precut soapstone figure and diagram of the animal packed in shredded paper. Theta Enterprises, PO Box 16083, 3017 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver, BC Canada, V7J 3S9 E-mail: green@ogopogo.com See also: Soapstone Carving for Children, Teaching Soapstone Carving
  
  
• New York: The Compleat Sculptor, Inc.   90 Vandam Street NYC, NY (1-800-9-SCULPT)  We stock upwards of 250 tons of alabaster, marble, soapstone, onyx and granite.  Alabaster Descriptions, Marble Descriptions, Steatite Descriptions, Other Stone Descriptions.  Please visit the "Compleat" Online Catalog for all your stone carving and sculpting needs.  marc@sculpt.com
  
  
• Art City Studios - Whether you need the raw materials, supplies, services or finished sculpture, Art City is your best source. Our unique combination of resident sculptors and outstanding selection of raw materials gives you a one-stop source for stones or finished sculptures.  We are commonly asked if we instruct stone carving classes or give talks. The answer is yes. Our workshops/talks are designed for the variety of requests we have received. Many carvers come from out of the area (or even out of state), so we have extended our calendar for advance planning. In our Calendar section we have a list of upcoming workshops held both at Art City as well as other locations, to give sculptors of all levels a look at what's available. All participants must call before attending to register for the classes.  Contact: artcity@dock.net or (805) 648-1690 or 800-490-0746.  
  
  
• D. M. Collins Import/ Export - We can supply green and grey soapstones at reasonable prices, from US$0.20/lb ex-mine.  Our markets include sculptors, fireplace makers and industrial minerals.  Contact Glynn Collins of D.M.Collins Import/ Export for more information.  E-Mail: gcollins@lantic.net  or glynncollins@hotmail.com  Tel.: +27-12-654 4824, Fax: +27-12-654 1279

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• Sculptors
  
  
• M.C.Carolyn, Sculptor - Stone Sculpture for Public Places and Private Collections - Biography - Unique stone sculpture for large public art commissions, environments, and functional projects. Gallery series for collectors of semi-realistic figurative marble, travertine, limestone, steatite. See: Sculptural Benches, Abstract,  Figurative Contact: mccarolyn@pon.net or 707-433-2724
  
  
• The Sandy Cline World of Art and Sculpture This website has been developed to help those interested in soapstone and the carving of soapstone into sculptures of beauty.  I am Sandy Cline, and have been creating soapstone sculptures for over 35 years and teaching carving throughout Canada and the United States. When I was just starting to develop an interest in sculpture, I discovered a book by Malvina Hoffman. Her writings and work inspired me to pursue the life of a sculptor.  See: Biography, Carvings on Hand, Past Carvings, Shows and Events, Sculpture and Tools, Soapstone Sources  Contact: scline@nexicom.net
  
  
• Shane Smith, Stone Sculptor  My art and sculptures are works done mostly in stone (marble, limestone, alabaster, soapstone) and some wood or clay. Major inspiration for my sculptures come my relationships and feelings about God, people, nature, and the things we surround ourselves with. You're invited to view my sculptures and art and to tell me a little about yourself. Enjoy!  See: Gallery, Work in progress, Stoneshaper's bio, "How to Carve" Page, A book for beginners  Contact: shane@stoneshaper.com
  
  
• Patrick Stone, Stone's Sculpture Project Patrick Stone has shown his work in galleries and museums all over the country and has works in many corporate and private collections.  For more information on his work, see the Portfolio section. Our Catalog offers a wide selection of sculpture products, from alabaster to power tools. Stone's is committed to providing fellow Artists from all locations with the best selection of goods at a reasonable price. The Resources/ Classes section contains information for the sculptor such as classes, books, web links.  Contact: patstone1@aol.com or : 888-432-STON or (561) 364-1749 in Boynton Beach Florida

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• Sculpture and Stone Links by Paul Fortman - A nice list of stone industry and stone sculpture resources.  Contact: Paul L Fortman at PaulLouisF@aol.com 
  
  
• Stone Sculptors Supply Directory - International Sculpture Center listing of resources.  Good info, mostly text.
  
  
• FindStone.com - Portal for Natural Stone - granite, marble, limestone, slate, sandstone - Soapstone Please note that there are two different kinds of stone, popularly called soapstone; Talc, which is a softer stone, used for carvings, and Steatite, wich is harder than Talc, used for countertops, fireplaces, ovens and etc. Brazilian Soapstone for carving(Talc) is known to be the preferred carving stone of the Inuit(Eskimos), because of it's unique patterns, colors and softness.
  
  
• USGS: Talc and Pyrophyllite in 1998, Talc and Pyrophyllite in 1997 - By Robert L. Virta,  Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Linder Roberts, statistical assistant, and the world production table was prepared by Ronald Hatch.  
  
  
  • Talc.—In 1998, 10 companies operating 14 mines in 6 States produced soapstone, steatite, and talc. All but two operations were open-pit mines. The producers were, in decreasing order of production, Luzenac America Inc., Dal Minerals Co., Barrett’s Minerals Inc., Gouverneur Talc Co., Milwhite Inc., United Clays of Texas, Suzorite Mineral Products Inc. (SMP), Canyon Mines Inc., Steatite of Southern Oregon, and NuTech. Barrett’s Minerals, Dal Minerals, Gouverneur Talc, and Luzenac America were the largest domestic producers, accounting for more than 85% of the tonnage.  
    
    
• Building Stones of Our Nation's Capital Walking Tour - a guidebook for a walking tour of some of the building stones used in the Nation's Capital. The tour covers an area roughly bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue on the north, the Jefferson Memorial on the south, the U.S. Capitol on the east, and the Lincoln Memorial on the west, with some side trips to describe especially interesting buildings outside the area.  

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• Geography of Virginia - Minerals of Virginia 
  
  
• Virginia: A Virginia Rockhounder This is the home page of David and Debbie (Grainger) Lipscomb. We enjoy all the treasures of this earth and especially love to work with the mineral related treasures. This site is our way to share with others some of our collected treasures and to present some information for other's on Virginia Rockhounding.  See: Alberene Soapstone Quarry
  
  
• Virginia: DMME - Division of Mineral Resources - Dimension Stone, Limestone
• The American Cultural Resources Association - Soapstone Bibliography A great resource for archeologists and historians.
  
  
• NC Archaeology Blue Rock Soapstone Quarry The Blue Rock soapstone quarry, located in Yancey County (in the mountains) was a relatively large source of the stone. The soapstone outcrop measures over 70 ft. by 50 ft., and it stands over 10 ft. high. The outcrop is marked by numerous "pockmarks" or depressions measuring from 1 to 3 ft. in diameter, many of which contain a small spur or pedestal-like projection at the bottom of the depression. The projection was left after the bowl "preform" or "blank" was chiseled from the parent stone and snapped or wedged out.
  
  
• NunnaUuni - Nunna-soapstone - The time at which soapstone was created is in the far distant past - almost 3 billion years ago. Originally a magmatic rock which lay hidden deep within the earth, it crystallised at a high temperature. Only about one billion years later when the entire rocky bottom began to move significantly, did the current structure form which makes soapstone ideal for stove-building both as regards its mineral substance and its physical properties.