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The following excerpt from The Story of Alberene Stone was printed in 1930. While the methods for quarrying and
processing have changed in the intervening years, the stone and its wonderful qualities have not. It continues
today to be "a stone of peculiar and remarkable qualities".
The Story Of Alberene Stone
There was located and opened in Albemarle County, Virginia, in the late 70's and early 80's of the last century, a deposit of
stone of peculiar and remarkable qualities. It was weather-proof, heat -proof, time -proof and easily worked — as was proved
by Indian bowls and other utensils carved from this material with crude tools of the early aborigines and to be seen today in
public museums and private collections. While soft enough to be easily shaped and fabricated, it yet was so dense and
close -grained as to have a crushing strength equal to that of granite. It was non -absorbent and non -staining; and, in
chemical characteristics, it was acid -proof and alkali -proof.
A Company is Formed
The pioneer in opening and developing this deposit was Mr. John G. Porter Who early saw the commercial possibilities of a
material possessing all these unique qualities. Thoroughly convinced of the large potential markets in the industrial,
architectural and scientific worlds, he associated himself with a number men in an organization which later became knownas
the Alberene Stone Company, with Mr. D. J. Carroll as president; and this material has since been quarried and marketed
continuously, for more than 40 years, by this organization under the name "Alberene Stone."
The Identifying Name "Alberene"
"Alberene" is a name coined from the name of the county (Albemarle) in Virginia where the deposit lies, and from the name
of one of the pioneers in its development, Mr. Serene. The original small holdings were increased by the repeated
acquisition of other properties along the vein, until today the entire deposit of this exclusive material is owned by the
Alberene Stone Company, which quarries it by what is conceded to be the most modern quarry plant in the country and
finishes it in its many marketable forms in mills completely equipped with special modern machinery, at Schuyler, Va.
Supplementing this are three large branch factories at Boston, New York and Chicago, completely stocked and equipped
and with direct rail connections --- important factors in the service this company renders.
The Source of Alberene Stone
The only known deposit of Alberene Stone is this vein, originally opened in Albemarle County and since found to extend into
Nelson County adjoining--- approximately five miles in length, of varying widths up to 200 feet, and of unknown depth.
Sufficient material is in sight to supply all requirements for Alberene Stone for several hundred years, even at the present
rapidly increasing rate of demand. The present holdings of the company comprise over 6,000 acres of land; and the unique
and distinctive characteristics of Alberene Stone, combined with the activities of the company, have made these Virginia
quarries the source of probably 95 per cent of the natural stone used for the general purposes recognized by all those
qualified to judge of quality.
Many deposits of so-called "similar" stone have been prospected, but not one has ever been located having either the
characteristics or the extent of the Alberene Stone vein. It is a remarkable tribute to the merits of Alberene Stone to be able
to say, with truth, that --- in this "age of substitution" --- no other natural stone, nor any artificial material, combines within
itself so many qualities essential for the performance of certain definite and important functions in the fields of industry,
science and architecture.
Some of Its Many Uses
In the laboratories of colleges, research institutions and industrial plants everywhere, it is helping in education, in
investigation and experiment, in the betterment of processes, and in the maintenance of standards. In hospitals and
scientific institutions, it lends its aid in the laboratory processes by which health is conserved and pure foods assured. In
electrical construction it provides safety for men and equipment. In the sanitary work in buildings of every description, it is
safeguarding health and at the same time providing the maximum of durability. While countless thousands of scholars,
students and workers daily go to and from their duties in safety, over stair treads and landings of Alberene Stone.
Geological Classification
Turning now for a moment to technicalities, Alberene Stone is found to belong to that general family of rocks of which talc is
probably the most popularly known member. Even as a family, however, these rocks show so wide a variation in
composition and in chemical and physical properties, that relationship is often extremely hard to trace. The more valuable
"family characteristics" are too often --- with many of the members -- completely hidden by less desirable qualities in the
individual. Alberene Stone seems to be that happy child of Nature in which the best is concentrated and the less fortunate
traits eliminated.
Alberene Stone is, geologically speaking, a "steatite" -- but it is a steatite with unique and exclusive characteristics
possessed, as a group, by no other natural stone nor by any artificial material. It has nothing in common with the talcs, or
other prepared or treated materials. It is a natural product, ages in the making, and used as it comes from Nature's
laboratory --- quarried in blocks, sawed into slabs of various thicknesses, and fabricated in units of convenient form and size
--- without crushing, grinding, burning, or other processing to change its natural characteristics. In fact, it is in these natural
characteristics --- unchangeable --- that its many great values lie.
Soapstone Description
Soapstone 101
Soapstone is quarried like Granite and Marble. It is a steatite stone and its primary components
are magnesite, dolomite, chlorite, and talc. It can range in age from 300 to 400 million years old
depending on which part of the planet it is drawn from. As talc in soapstone is soft to the touch,
it gives the smooth feeling of rubbing a piece of dry soap. Thus the name was derived - "Soap"
Stone. No. You can't wash with it.
For thousands of years, soapstone has been used throughout the world for tools, carafes, vases,
goblets, sculptures, fireplaces, etc. In early American history, soapstone was used primarily for
building blocks, sculpting and urns. As villages and towns began building home structures, a
popular choice for the do -it -all sink was soapstone. It could be easily cut to shape with non stone
cutting tools. Four styles of common sinks from the 1800's and early 1900's were the
Philadelphia, Chicago -Wright, Boston -Williams and the good old New England Double Bowl
(our most popular). In early New England, Soapstone uses ranged from fireplace hearths to
countertops, sinks, and oven fireplace stoves. In different parts of the world, soapstone is still
used as a daily staple for mixing bowls, cook -tops, cookware, and oven baking decks. Currently
in the USA and in different parts of the world, soapstone is used for the largest variety of items
ever yet - including balusters, stair treads, window sills and island tops. It's fast becoming a very
popular choice by designers and architects and it's one of a kind texture and look make soapstone
one of the most aesthetically pleasing stones to be used for the job.
True Soapstone is inert. Alkalis and acids won't affect it as they will a granite, marble, or slate.
For over one hundred years, soapstone sinks and tiles have been used in science class rooms and
labs along with work tables and counter tops. Its longevity to long term - high traffic use is
amazing!
Because of its truly remarkable and natural heat retention characteristics, soapstone is widely
used for masonry heater fireplaces, wood stoves, fireplace liners and pizza ovens. Soapstone
heaters and fireplaces heat very quickly from burning coal, pellets or wood, the soapstone will
then slowly radiate heat very evenly for hours on end. Even after the fire has long gone out!
In our continuing search for the best soapstone available on earth, we have come to know more
about it than any other company can ever claim. Vermont Marble, Granite, Slate & Soapstone
Co. has access to virtually every type and class of soapstone in every form imaginable. From
colorful soapstone that can be carved with your finger nail to a more rugged and very dense
building soapstone (counter -tops, sinks, masonry heater fireplaces, etc.).
A couple of common questions about soapstones include:
Q. Since soapstone is soft to the touch, does this mean it's absorbent?
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A. Though soapstone is soft to the touch it is far from absorbent. If the surface picks up a stain or
discolors, this is literally -just on the surface - and can be scrubbed or sanded off. Slates,
marbles, most granites, limestones and travertines are absorbant. Soapstone is not.
Q. Once oil or a sealer is applied, can it be removed some day to bring the stone back to the
original color?
A. Yes. Even after 100 years of hard use, soapstone can be re -finished to a new state as though it
was just installed.
Our soapstone is perfect for achieving that warm "old fashioned", "rustic", "early American"
look. It's also versatile enough so that it can be used with very modern designs.
Upon installation of our soapstone countertops, we recommend that the stone is sealed with
mineral oil or stone sealer. The mineral oil and some light penetrating sealers will bring out a
dark richness to the stones natural color and also work as a protective sealing layer to the surface
of the stone. Mineral oil may be re -applied to the stone periodically. Most sealers will remain for
quite a while longer than the mineral oil. It is not necessary to use oil or sealers on the stone.
Spilled wine or virtually anything else will not penetrate and stain the stone on the inside. It can
and may leave a darkened area or superficial surface stain. However, these marks can be
scrubbed off the stone or sanded off as they can't penetrate the soapstone below the very surface.
Some people opt never to apply anything to the stone, as it will soon begin to take on it's own
natural patina with regular use.
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