I went through the exact same decision. But I ended up with Soapstone. PdC (I think it's called Pietra di Cardosa) is usually classified with granite, not because it is granite, but because its maintenance is the same as granite. You have to seal it periodically. It is a beautifully quiet stone, if there is such a thing. There was some info from a well respected person in the stone biz who I believe thought that PdC was a terrible material for countertops. In Italy, they use it for flooring and walkways, like slate. I forget his name, but I think he passed away tragically a few years ago.

I have a small child, but I decided the the benefits of soapstone was worth the risk. I figure she's not going to stay young forever and I can "train" her. Besided, even is soapstone gets scratched, you can easily repair it yourself with some light sanding. Frankly, I've done more damage to it than anyone else in the house. But a light waxing usually takes care of the surface scrapes.

I ruled out granite early, simply because everyone has granite. But that's just me.

Only you know how your own children will behave, so you'll have to factor that in. But if you can do it, I recommend soapstone. Just choose a harder variety. But I'm biased.

Thank you so much for your thoughts, jscout. I have samples I of each type in my kitchen right now. The PdC scratches just like the soapstone (I have several samples of ss, some softer than others) but I don't think I'd be able to oil the scratches out as I could w soapstone. Is that right? The granite is definitely the toughest of the stones, but looks-wise, it's my least favorite. I have 4 young kids and they are rough on everything. That's why I hesitate to use anything delicate. Maybe I will keep looking and try to figure out which ss is the most durable. Do you know the type that you have? Thanks again.

Oh yma73. I feel for you, because this is a hard decision. I don't love the misty look of Jet Mist but that's just my opinion. I also felt like I'd just be trying to get the look of soapstone. So, I just going to bite the bullet and get the soapstone. Let us know, what you decide. You really can't go wrong with any of the above.

Pietra is a beautiful stone and is sold in many different finishes. I have worked on alot of it so I can tell you that it is very porous,contains calcites so it can etch like marble and yes it will scratch as well.
I have heard it called sandstone,shist,granite but
Geologically it is a calcareous phyllite. It is a unique type of stone that comes from the town of Cordoso in italy.
I have seen countertops that were trashed and needed a total refinishing and countertops in homes where they were in relativly good condition with only minor staining and etching but still needed to be refinished. I think someones who owns a countertop like this needs to have a certain lifestyle. Kids,mojito parties and lots of cooking can be challenging for this stone.(am being kind)
If you want to challenge your samples try the lemon juice test which will tell you if the stone is sensitive to acids and how porous it is.
As far as oiling the scratches out of pietra-well it may work but only temporary-make sure your stone is well sealed because if you try to oil it and it isnt sealed it will absorb into the stone.
As far as soapstone goes it is soft but dense and totally acid resistant.Try the lemon test on this and compare to the pietra. This way you can base your decison on facts.
Yes I agree that pietra is pretty and may fit your design plan. How detail oriented are you? If you get a stain will it drive you crazy. Include that in your decision makng process.
Most important make sure you have a good fabricator.
And that Italian gentlemen was maurizio bertoli who passed away in 2008.
Stu Rosen
www.mbstonecare.com
www.stoneshine.com

Yes that person was maurizio bertoli

I have the Barroca from M. Teixeira. It's the more traditional kind which is fairly soft. I wanted the harder variety, but my wife liked the looks of the softer one. One of the things about soapstone is that you have to accept that it's a "living" stone. It will get scratched no matter how careful you are. But the good news is that it's somewhat repairable by you. Very minor scratches can be oiled out. Slightly deeper ones can be lightly sanded out.

But the good news is that it will never stain, never etch and is virtually fireproof. You'll never have to seal it. If you decide to darken it, use the wax/oil blends. After the first few months of periodic treatments, it gets easier as the patina sets in. I've had mine in for about four months and it's already got a nice patina. Whenever I get a little nick, I just take out the old rag with the wax already on and rub it in. Then I buff it with my bare hands and it looks fine again.

I've placed pans right out of the oven onto the counter without a trivet. You really can't/shouldn't with other stones. But on the soapstone, the wax/oil doesn't even burn. It's almost like seasoned cast iron.

Soapstone owner here, with three small kids. Have the Brazilian Duro from Dorado. I can only echo what jscout has already written - I love the soapstone because it is virtually indestructible. I do everything from put hot pots on it, to kneading all kinds of bread (stays cool so good for that), have spilled wine, soy sauce, lemon juice, you name it. They say the stone is non-porous yet it seems so much softer than granite. Have had only one scratch (DH, not the kids, dragged a pot and the bottom must have been rough) and within two weeks you couldn't even find it anymore.

I have soapstone and love it. It is the softer variety as I put it in myself with my DH's help.

I had trouble getting others on board to help me with my self installation plan:) When DH realized that he needed to help me because no one else would, we got it done. I had a fabricator lose my business because he was hesatant to install for me, saying it is too soft and I should use granite.

The installation was fun and we did a nice job if I do say so myself!

My DH likes the ease of not being concerned with hot pans. He feels it is less worrisome than laminate.

I didn't even consider granite because I saw soapstone in a local restaurant 10 years ago and loved it. I always knew that I would use soapstone. Just before I bought my stone from Durado Soapstone last summer, I asked the restaurant if they liked the counters and sinks they had for 10 years. They told me they would do it again in a heart beat, except for the bathroom sinks, because of the look with heavy use. They oil their stone all the time and I think the sinks get the oil washed off and the gray look is not what they want. But the sinks themselves look great.

When I go into the restaurant I always run my hands over the coffee counter and think it is lovely. Likewise in my kitchen.

Thanks so much, everyone. I'm very grateful for all your replies. srosen, you gave me more info on pietra than I had read anywhere else. And I googled the gentleman's name you gave and found this very helpful string that he wrote on soapstone vs. pietra:
So, now I am definitely leaning toward soapstone again. I can live with scratches and dents. I'm more worried about the unevenness of the oil/dry parts. Worried the whole thing will look dirty. I am in NY so I will drive to NJ to see Teixiera's soapstone in person and hopefully get advice on their various types available. Thanks again.

Here is a link that might be useful: soapston vs pietra

It's natural that soapstone can become a little uneven with use. For example, if you have a soap dispenser at the sink, expect the stone where the soap drips on to always be a little lighter. But that's common sense. So, as long as you keep the oiling rag around, you just take it out wipe it to restore the shine and move on. I use Clapham's Beeswax Salad Bowl Finish on the soapstone and my butcher block. I really like the results.

I have several soapstone samples from M. Teixeira right now. DH has bashed at them fiercely and the Belvedere was much tougher than the Barroca or Santa Rita. Get some samples and have some fun!

So I am in the minority here, it appears.

I had Pietra in my last kitchen (that was featured in NJ Monthly magazine may years ago) and loved it so much that I will be installing it in my new kitchen in CT. I am a cook, Not a professional cook but I cook almost every night and we love to entertain. We raised 3 children in that old kitchen, and it withstood everything. I never sealed it. And I chose a honed surface that aged beautifully. It was a very big kitchen and lots of parties and good times happened there.

I can't speak for sealed or polished Petra but my unsealed honed Petra developed a wonderful patina. It does scratch but that just adds to its character. I don"t like things to look perfect, I prefer a warm, well loved look. I always use cutting boards so no knives ever scratched it, Just the odd broken glass or plate and someone once slid a very heavy ceramic pot across it and left marks. But I simply started using that spot more often and the constant sponging and just everyday use made those scratches disappear. Lemon was not a problem if wiped up within a reasonable amount of time, but I discovered a slice that missed an evening cleanup and that mark remains. Not glaring but again, it added to the beautiful well loved look.

Petra is my personal favorite.

E

Hi there! It has been 11 years since your post on your soapstone. Do you all still love it?? We're installing our new kitchen right now - only about 15 years past due. I'm considering both SS and PC. We have a Virginia farmhouse from 1900. Just found the original wallpaper under some old bookshelves we removed in our living room. Would love to hear your updates after this much wear, if any of you are still reading this HOUZZ thread.