Alberene Soapstone Quarried in Schuyler, Virginia
M. Teixeira Soapstone is proud to offer Alberene soapstone, which comes from the American soapstone quarries in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Alberene soapstone from Virginia is not only the best option for American-sourced soapstone—it’s the only soapstone quarry remaining in the USA.
History of Virginia’s Alberene Soapstone Company
The Alberene Soapstone Company, founded in 1883, extracted natural stone from the Church Hill, Old Dominion, and Climax quarries in Virginia. According to locals, the Alberene Soapstone Company was once the largest employer in the USA in the late 19th century and was the second place to have electricity in the USA (after Manhattan). Since its founding, the Alberene Soapstone Company has been bought and sold several times and was even inactive for years until its reopening in 2010.
This soapstone vein in Virginia is one of the largest in the world and is currently the only company producing American soapstone. For the sake of simplicity, many folks use the term “Alberene Soapstone” to represent any soapstone from Virginia-based quarries.
M. Teixeira Soapstone offers North American soapstone from both the Church Hill and Old Dominion quarries. We always have Alberene Soapstone in stock at all our warehouse and showroom locations and you can often find discounted Alberene slabs in our remnants collection.
Benefits of Alberene Soapstone
Alberene soapstone is architectural-grade soapstone that offers the ideal hardness for interior and exterior applications and comes in a range of greys and blacks. Church Hill Reserve soapstone offers a deep, dark hue due to its low talc content, while Old Dominion is a lighter-colored option. Striking white veining adds to the stone’s charm.
Like soapstone from other sources, Alberene soapstone offers a velvety soft texture and a smooth, but not shiny, surface that suits a wide range of décor tastes. This Virginia-sourced soapstone offers the same superior heat resistance soapstone is favored for, is nonporous, and is impervious to etching or damage from chemicals, cleaners, and spills.
Where to Use Alberene Soapstone
Historically, American Alberene soapstone from Virginia has been used to produce manufacturing laundry tubs, sinks, and school laboratory countertops, but the applications don’t stop there. Alberene is gorgeous for use throughout the home and outdoor living spaces, including:
- Countertops
- Backsplashes
- Sinks
- Outdoor kitchen surfaces
- Tiles and mosaics
- Custom sculptures
