Main index --- Minerals list --- Hardness index Talc
Name:Talc or Steatite
Derivation: From "talk" (Persian) talc
From "steatos" (Greek) suet
Formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
Description: White with a hint of green. This is a very soft stone, and so it has a soapy feel to it, where your fingers rub small amounts off the surface. In fact, one of its names is "soapstone".

Talc makes talcum powder.

Another name for talc is steatite, which comes from the Greek for "suet". This is because the surface feels greasy. It is very easy to carve because it is so soft. The Babylonians used to carve signature cylinder seals from steatite. They would sign their clay tablets by rolling the cylinder seal across it.

Larger pictures of Talc:

Talc

Talc

Soapstone is very easy to carve.

Talc