Rebekah Moore, age 10, of New Bedford, Mass., for her question:

WHAT IS SOAPSTONE?

Soapstone is a soft rock composed mostly of the mineral talc. It is also know as steatite. It feels soapy or oily and varies from white to gray and grayish green.

Soapstone is formed in the earth by changes in the structure and composition of an igneous rock such as peridotite. These changes occur at low temperature and moderate pressure in the presence of water. Many industrial uses have been found for soapstone. It is a good electric insulator and can easily be cut into various shapes. Because soapstone is not affected by high temperatures or acids, it is used for laboratory table tops, sinks and some chemical equipment.  Soapstone is ideal for wood burning stoves, it retains heat long after the fire has gone out, making an efficient heating system.

Powdered soapstone is added to cosmetics, paper and paint as a filler to improve these products. It gives paper a smooth surface. The United States ranks among the leading soapstone producers.  

Deposits can be found in California, New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Virginia. Other countries that produce soapstone include Canada, France and Italy.