Saratoga Black, also known as Black Soapstone — 3 cm black soapstone, honed, about 124″ × 76″ per slab. Lot 3709, from Brazil, has one slab available, including one clearance slab at our Los Angeles yard.

This slab

The recorded size of a slab in this lot is 124″ × 76″, about 65 square feet. Thickness is 3 cm. The color on record is black. Natural stone still varies inside that description, so the slab itself is the reference for movement and shade. Saratoga Black is also known as Black Soapstone. Searching either name should lead to this same material. This material is recorded as quarried in Brazil.

The honed finish is smooth and matte, without a high gloss. Three centimeters is a thicker cut, often used where the edge will show.

In the yard

Lot 3709 at our Los Angeles yard shows one slab in stock, none on hold, and one slab available. Available means in stock minus slabs on hold. One slab is marked clearance.

With one slab available, it suits a project that can be cut from a single piece.

Where it works

For this kind of stone, the usual applications are countertops and sinks. The right use still depends on the finish, the thickness, and how the slab will be cared for after it is installed.

The material

Soapstone is a dense, talc-rich stone with a soft, waxy feel. It resists heat and is often used for countertops and sinks. It scratches more easily than granite. Those marks are usually sanded or refreshed with mineral oil rather than sealed the way marble is. Color is typically gray, green, or near-black and stays fairly even.

About Saratoga Black

Saratoga Black is a premier soapstone quarried in Brazil, characterized by its deep charcoal to midnight black surface often accented by subtle, light-colored veining. This metamorphic rock is composed primarily of talc, giving it a signature velvety, matte texture that is remarkably soft to the touch yet incredibly dense. Renowned for being naturally non-porous and chemically inert, it is immune to acidic etching and bacterial growth. Its exceptional thermal mass allows it to withstand direct heat without damage, a property that historically made soapstone the material of choice for laboratory benched and 18th-century wood-burning stoves. While it can develop a natural darkened patina over time, applying mineral oil or wax can instantly enhance its dramatic, rich luster.