Soapstone is a centuries-old material that virtually disappeared from the U.S. market and is again gaining favor among interior designers, architects, and homeowners. What gave soapstone its biggest boost was television. The PBS program "This Old House" used it in a $1 million home in Milton, Mass. and Martha Stewart incorporated it into the set of her TV show. If a scratch appears, it can be rubbed out with wet sandpaper. However, the scratch can also be left so that gradually it becomes part of the stone. Unlike granite, where most consumers want a perfect piece, the older soapstone looks, the more some people like it. It is a very adaptable stone design wise. It can look 100 years old and fit into a Victorian home or appear modern and work with contemporary designs. However, soapstone has it limitations as far as color is concerned. It basically comes is blue/gray which oxidizes to charcoal or black. There may be a greenish veining in the slab. Soapstone requires more maintenance than granite or stones. In the first months after installation a countertop should be oiled repeatedly with mineral oil. The application seals the stone and changes the color of the stone from light gray to charcoal. It should be re-oiled until the dark color becomes permanent (this could take up to a year of regular oiling). Once that occurs, occasional re-oiling is recommended to prevent blotching. When used in fireplaces or flooring no oiling is needed, the stone will darken naturally. The uniqueness of this stone makes it appealing to many despite the work it takes during the first year the stone is installed. Many like the fact that this is not a stone that is found in every other home on the block.