Soapstone

Soapstone is a dense, non-porous metamorphic stone comprised mainly of talc. It is relatively soft as quarried stones go and it will not burn, flake, melt, or stain as a result of contact with heat. Its inert composition makes it highly resistant to acids, alkaloids, and water. Soapstone is an excellent conductor of heat, absorbing it quickly and releasing it slowly. This makes it a stone of choice for fireplaces and mantelpieces. Soapstone is extremely rugged and durable. Several varieties of soapstone are available. These stones vary only slightly in color but widely in mineral veining and figure.

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary stone that is formed by the accumulation of compressed organic material such as shell and coral. Some of our limestones have visible fossils imbedded in the slabs. The limestone is quarried primarily in France and comes in a wide variety of colors with a wide range of mineral activity. This figuring is the evidence of ages spent below the Earth's surface prior to being harvested and finished. Since Limestone is a porous stone, it must be sealed to complete the installation. This sealant is similar to those used in granite finishing and it helps the stone resist staining.

Brazilian Slate

Brazilian slate is a dense, fine-grained metamorphic stone produced by the compression of sediments. It comes in green, plum, gray, and other natural earth tones. Slate can be honed smooth or left with natural, subtle cleft as a finished surface. Its color is consistent and homogeneous throughout and does not contain much mineral veining or figure.

Soapstone Cookware

Prairie Plus offers traditional, rustic style cookware made from Brazilian soapstone in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some pieces come with copper handles for serving ease. Soapstone makes an excellent material for cookware since it is a great conductor of heat and provides an even temperature throughout the cooking process. This versatile cookware goes from oven to table beautifully.