My soapstone is not shiny - not honed or polished in any manner. It was only sanded before installation.

The thing to check is ask the supplier of your samples what was done to prepare the samples.

Then you will know.

Doc

My soapstone isn't shiny. That's why I bought it. It's kind of a matte finish. Like the old lab tables in high school science class.

Mine were delivered moderately shiny. I would call them "smooth." You can see, for example, reflection of lights, but they are not mirror-like reflections (i.e., the reflected images are somewhat diffuse).

Soapstone is a matte finish. I would compare it closest to a granite that has a honed, non-polished surface. You should acquire a sample of a soapstone so you can actually touch it -- it's a blast! Lol. Unlike the name implies, soapstone is not actually *soft* to the point of being brittle or anything like that, it's actually quite a durable countertop material. Hope this helps! :-)

Thank you for the response, I received mine from M Teixiera and from pictures their soapstone never appeared to have a gloss look. I took some sandpaper to them, but they continue to shine.
Put some beeswax, mineral oil and still the same thing.

Peridot44, I was expecting the old high school science lab top! I can remember how they feel and that was a long time ago.
Marble_com, that is what I have, a sample. Expecting a warm, smooth finish, not cold, hard, and shiny. It feels nothing like I expected.
Doc, I will call them tomorrow and ask about it.
Thanks!

Susie -how north are you? There's the Dorado supplier in Dallas and Austin. We're getting our Noire soapstone thru them, and it is matte.

Texas Penny, we are in Decatur, about 60 miles NW of Dallas. I've googled soapstone in Dallas with no luck. Do you know the name of the place who carries it?

That would be fantastic to actually see slabs!
Thanks

Texas Penny, we are in Decatur, about 60 miles NW of Dallas. I've googled soapstone in Dallas with no luck. Do you know the name of the place who carries it?

That would be fantastic to actually see slabs!
Thanks

Susie, Try the link below for contact info for Dorado soapstone.
Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dorado soapstone link

Soapstone is not shiny, but my guess is that the samples have been waxed. Most places carry and sell some sort of oil/wax mix you can apply instead of mineral oil.