Steatite is a massive, metamorphic form of talc prized for its extreme softness and smooth, soap-like feel. It is easily carved with simple hand tools and is commonly found in altered ultramafic rocks where hydrothermal activity has been present.
Is this steatite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch steatite with a known reference. Steatite sits at Mohs 1, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Steatite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Steatite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, green, white, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Steatite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside steatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with steatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1
- Density
- 2.6-2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Sculpture, Industrial, Decorative, Refractory Material
- Host rock
- Metamorphic
- Typical price
- $5-50 for small carvings or specimens
Where rockhounds find steatite
5 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- USA
- Finland
- Brazil
- India
- Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic country, the host setting where steatite typically forms. If you start seeing magnesite, chlorite, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find steatite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
