Soapstone - also known as soapstone, soapstone, wenstone, ice stone

Talchlorite is a rock, one of the varieties of talc minerals. It does not attract much attention from jewelers, but is in great demand in other industries. The stone, with a smooth surface and an original pattern reminiscent of a foaming sea wave, is an environmentally friendly mineral and is easy to work with. Talkhochlorite is used in construction and for organizing bathrooms; magicians and lithotherapists use its properties.

Story

Boneless soapstone

The history of soapchlorite began more than a thousand years ago. Archaeological excavations speak about this.

In Ancient Egypt and Scandinavia, tools were made of stone. The mineral heats up quickly, maintains the temperature for a long time and does not absorb the ingredients that are being cooked.

In areas with frosty winters, tellchlorite was used to make stoves and insulate houses.

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a soapstone statue of Jesus Christ was erected on a reinforced concrete frame.

Other names for the stone

Soapstone figures (Africa)

Talchochlorite has many other synonyms that are used in everyday life:

• Ven - the stone is named for its oily shine;
• hot stone (in Finnish - tulikkivi) - due to the property of the mineral to heat up quickly and retain heat for a long time;
• soapstone - translated from French as “fat”;
• soap or wax stone: soapstone feels like a bar of soap or wax;
• oven or stone pot - they are called depending on the application.

Some interesting facts about soapstone

I have never come across as many names for any stone as soapstone has.

People call it stove stone, soap stone, pot stone, wax stone, ice stone, fire stone and even mammoth stone! But there are not so many scientific names: steatite, soapstone, soapcarbonate.

Large deposits are located in Eastern Finland, where there are more than 100 soapstone deposits.

In Russia, the stone is mined in Karelia and the Sverdlovsk region. Soapstone was originally used in the metallurgical industry.

Physico-chemical characteristics

Talchochlorite is a magnesium silicate with a complex and constantly changing chemical composition. It consists of three independent minerals: talc, magnesite and chlorite. The main share in the composition of talc chlorite is magnesite and talc - 40-50% each. The percentage of chlorite, depending on the location of extraction, can reach 8%.

Main characteristics of the mineral:

Talkhochlorite has a discrete gray color with inclusions of white, green, brown, blue and yellow. Specimens of red and cherry color are considered rare.

How to choose a stone for frying meat

When purchasing an accessory, you should pay attention to several parameters:

Optimal size that does not obstruct air circulation

Stone size

If it is to be used on a covered grill, the area of ​​the stone should be slightly smaller than the area of ​​the grill grate. Otherwise, air will not circulate properly under the lid.

The same applies to barbecue stones. If it covers the entire roaster, there will be no air draft and the coals will go out.

A stone that is too thick, like in the photo, is useless

Thickness

The thicker the stone, the longer it takes to heat up and the slower it cools.

Therefore, if you want to use fuel more economically, then take thinner baking sheets. The optimal thickness for frying steaks is 2-3 cm.

Ribbed soapstone stone

Material

An accessory made of fireclay clay is the simplest and cheapest option, which is not afraid of high temperatures, but requires careful handling due to its increased fragility.

Volcanic stone needs to be heated more carefully, but it is reliable and lightweight. And soapstone products are the most popular due to their natural non-stick properties.

Round stone, grooved, 30cm

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Baking (frying) stone Rommelsbacher PS 16

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Grill stone, 40x30x2cm

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If you are looking for new methods of cooking meat over an open fire, want to diversify your diet, and prepare healthy and healthy dishes, then volcanic or fireclay stone is definitely worth your attention. It will be an excellent addition to a stationary barbecue or grill. Plus it will help create a cozy atmosphere when gathering with family and friends.

There is a manufacturer VasilevGrill.com in St. Petersburg, which develops and produces devices for cooking using natural stone. Each stone has different properties, so this manufacturer pays special attention to the extraction and processing of rare rocks so that the taste and juiciness of the products are maximized. The relief grate he developed has a unique temperature and humidity cooking regime.

Areas of application

Due to its universal properties, tellchlorite is widely in demand not only in crafts, but also in industry.

Construction

Technical quality ground and ground talc is a raw material for the manufacture of refractories, binders, and electrical insulators.

The walls of residential buildings and swimming pools are lined with soapstone, and “warm floors” are installed. Talkoclorite is also an excellent sound-absorbing material.

Arrangement of baths and saunas

Talkchlorite split for bathrooms

Due to its high heat capacity and thermal conductivity, the mineral is used in baths, steam rooms and saunas. Paving stones used in bathrooms look aesthetically pleasing, reliable and environmentally friendly.

Drink stones

Talchlorite quickly not only accumulates heat, but also cools down. In status circles, it is used instead of ice cubes to quickly cool a drink without diluting it with water. To do this, the processed soapstone cubes are placed in the freezer for several hours, after which they are used for their intended purpose. Used pebbles are washed with running water and dried.

Decor

Protective amulet with the Algiz rune, soapchlorite

Soapstone is plastic and easy to process, so it makes beautiful decorative elements. Vases, figurines, animal figurines, boxes and souvenirs are made from the mineral. Due to its high thermal conductivity, cookware made from soapstone is in demand. Food cooked in a pot or pan made from this stone stays hot for a long time.

Decorations

The stone is not popular among jewelers due to its excessive softness. However, it is used to make unusual jewelry set in cupronickel or silver: beads, charms, charms.

What is it: soapstone

Fans of antiquity and Scotch whiskey have probably come across the name “steatite” more than once in their area of ​​interest . What kind of stone is this? And what does he have in common with the Egyptians and alcohol?

Yes, in general, nothing. The Egyptians only knew beer. But they didn’t know ice and snow, not to mention refrigerators. However, the story is almost the same with the Scots - there were no refrigerators for a long time either. Perhaps it is simply an accident or a whim of French archaeologists that figurines of various nations made of soapstone will be marked in catalogs as “material: soapstone.”

And why soapstones for whiskey were called “soapstones for whiskey” is a mystery to ourselves. Probably, some people thought the name sounded more euphonious, and therefore marketing relied on it.

In fact, “steatite” is not such a euphonious name. Because it simply means “wen.” It’s unlikely that anyone would want to spoil their whiskey with chilled “fat.” But we are not French for “steatite” to mean anything meaningful to us. And the stone itself gives no reason to think badly about it.

Soapstone received the nickname “wen” only because even without water it slid in the hands as if greased. An essential feature that allowed ancient people to unmistakably recognize their favorite stone for various crafts.

Therapeutic effect

Soapstone bowl for aromatic oils

Lithotherapists attribute the properties of a biostimulant to soapchlorite. Its effectiveness has been proven in the following cases:

• improvement of brain function - memory restoration, increased concentration and logical thinking;
• treatment of hypertension, normalization of blood pressure by lowering it;
• treatment of osteochondrosis, radiculitis, osteochondrosis;
• increased immunity;
• fight against viral and respiratory diseases.

There is an opinion that the stone releases vitamin D, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, but representatives of traditional medicine do not confirm this.

To improve well-being, use soapstone warmers, massage stones, beads, and only unprocessed stone amulets.

Price

Whiskey stone cubes

The price of tellchlorite depends on the place of extraction of the mineral, its size, color and quality of processing. Finland is considered the most expensive raw material.

The cost of soapstone products is as follows:

• $16 for a soapstone massager;
• $37-62 — for 10 cubes of Karelian whiskey soapstone, depending on the size;
• $60 for a souvenir ball with a diameter of 50 mm;
• $100-110 – for an animal figurine made of soapstone up to 12cm high.

Mineral deposits and mining

Rock mining sites are located in countries such as:

• Brazil;
• USA;
• Finland;
• India;
• Russia.

Finland is a leader in mineral extraction. The country is home to the world's largest deposit, located in Nunnalahti.

An interesting fact is that in Russia there is a large Karelian deposit, which stretches in a mountain range from Medvezhyegorsk to Finland. Mining is also carried out in the Shabrovskoye field in the Urals. Russia ranks second in the world in rock production.

Watch the video to see how the rock is mined and processed:

Soapstone in astrology

Talchlorite charm

When choosing soapstone as a magical amulet or talisman, you should take into account its compatibility with the zodiac:

• Gemini, Pisces, Virgo and Libra are ideal stones. Representatives of these zodiac signs will gain calm and self-confidence, and get rid of their inherent fears and anxieties.
• Scorpio, Aquarius, Cancer and Capricorn can use talc, but not always. Otherwise, they may lose vigilance and confidence in their abilities.
• It is not recommended for Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius and Aries to wear this stone, as it negatively affects their character. The negative qualities of these zodiac signs, such as ambition, selfishness and irritability, are enhanced several times upon contact with soapstone.

What properties should stones for a stove have?

Not every stone is suitable for filling in a sauna stove. Without knowing the stones and their properties, you should not put them in the heater. Heating of stones is thermal radiation that affects the body.

Even very beautiful and suitable unknown stones on a river or road should be avoided. These breeds are unknown to you, their radiation can be hazardous to health.

Round or oval shaped stones are the most suitable option for filling the furnace.

It makes absolutely no difference whether it is closed or open.

Natural gaps are formed between the laying of oval or round stones; it is easier for hot air to pass through them.

Smooth stones last longer in the kiln. There are no chips or nicks in such stones; cycles of heating, cooling and thermal shock with water do not lead to their rapid destruction.

The size of the stones must correspond to the size of the backfill site. It is unwise to fill large containers with small stones.

Before purchasing stones, be sure to consider their sizes and pay attention to their structure.

What is the difference from a fake?

Talchochlorite tiles 200 * 50 * 20

Talchlorite is rarely counterfeited using plastic as an imitation. It is quite simple to distinguish the original from the fake:

• soapstone is soft, easily scratched and damaged;
• a real mineral has an uneven color and a discreet tint;
• Talchlorite leaves a white streak when passed over glass or other hard objects.

Much more often, soapchlorite is used to imitate jade due to its greenish color. The difference between the minerals is that the hardness index of jade is higher than that of soapstone.

Where are they most often used?

Such stones are especially in demand in the restaurant business. Thanks to them, establishment owners can reduce the burden on staff. It is enough to serve customers heated stones along with pre-prepared products and explain the principle of operation. Visitors themselves receive aesthetic pleasure from the process of preparing their favorite dishes themselves.

Interesting! Some restaurateurs are introducing dishes prepared using the stone grill method to attract new customers and retain old ones. Experience has shown that adding steaks and other stone-fried dishes to the menu increases restaurant traffic.

Frying stones are also in demand among owners of grills and barbecues. These accessories expand the chef's capabilities, giving more room for experimentation. Moreover, many connoisseurs make a heated stone the central element of a friendly get-together, during which everyone can fry meat, fish or vegetables to their liking.

Another nice feature for lovers of grilled meat is the ability to use the stone in camping conditions. For example, for frying over a fire.