Carelian soapstone

Echoes from
history

Carelian soapstone

2.8 billion years ago earth was still at the very early stage of its history. There was not a single living thing on earth and the continental blocks started moving to their modern day positions. Volcanic activity was very high even in Scandinavia, which is one of the oldest geological areas on earth.

Carelian soapstone

2.8 billion years ago earth was still at the very early stage of its history. There was not a single living thing on earth and the continental blocks started moving to their modern day positions. Volcanic activity was very high even in Scandinavia, which is one of the oldest geological areas on earth.

As the solid surface of earth was moving and the continental blocks collided a high mountain range was formed in the area, that nowadays borders between Finland and Russia. As the mountains where rising, huge air pockets where forming underneath them. Fluid, volcanic stone was filling those pockets. Under this intense heat and extremely high pressure very special stone, Carelian soapstone, was formed.

It lay at rest under the high mountains for billions of years till the northern hemisphere was re-shaped by quite another type of force from nature: The Ice Age. Huge masses of continental ice swept over the area, so enormous was the pressure that it even levelled down the Carelian mountain range, that had been hiding one of the most interesting gifts of nature: Carelian soapstone.

As the solid surface of earth was moving and the continental blocks collided a high mountain range was formed in the area, that nowadays borders between Finland and Russia. As the mountains where rising, huge air pockets where forming underneath them. Fluid, volcanic stone was filling those pockets. Under this intense heat and extremely high pressure very special stone, Carelian soapstone, was formed.

It lay at rest under the high mountains for billions of years till the northern hemisphere was re-shaped by quite another type of force from nature: The Ice Age. Huge masses of continental ice swept over the area, so enormous was the pressure that it even levelled down the Carelian mountain range, that had been hiding one of the most interesting gifts of nature: Carelian soapstone.

Still it had to wait for quite a long time before anybody understood to start making all sorts of items of it. Tens of thousands of years of midnight sun in the summer and beautiful symphonies of northern lights in the winter made the stone even more special.

Still it had to wait for quite a long time before anybody understood to start making all sorts of items of it. Tens of thousands of years of midnight sun in the summer and beautiful symphonies of northern lights in the winter made the stone even more special.

Features

Mother Nature gave Carelian soapstone mythical capabilities to withstand harsh, Nordic environment. It can handle equally well hot fire of freezing cold. It is capable of accumulating both heat as well as cold. And it stays warm or cold for a long time. This is one of the unique characteristics of Hukka products.

Carelian soapstone is relatively soft stone material, that can be crafted to various shapes and forms by experienced craftsmen. Even though soft, the stone is very dense and heavy material. For example, it does not absorb any liquids or tastes. Soapstone has been tested and approved to be used in preparing or storing food products. Soapstone is extremely sturdy stone material, that can withstand well challenges of modern environment. 2.8 billion years long “manufacturing process” has prepared it for most of the challenges it might encounter.

Features

Mother Nature gave Carelian soapstone mythical capabilities to withstand harsh, Nordic environment. It can handle equally well hot fire of freezing cold. It is capable of accumulating both heat as well as cold. And it stays warm or cold for a long time. This is one of the unique characteristics of Hukka products.

Carelian soapstone is relatively soft stone material, that can be crafted to various shapes and forms by experienced craftsmen. Even though soft, the stone is very dense and heavy material. For example, it does not absorb any liquids or tastes. Soapstone has been tested and approved to be used in preparing or storing food products. Soapstone is extremely sturdy stone material, that can withstand well challenges of modern environment. 2.8 billion years long “manufacturing process” has prepared it for most of the challenges it might encounter.

Carelian soapstone has been formed from soft and semi-soft minerals:

Talc 40-50 %
Magnetite 40-50 %
Pennite 5-8 %

Talc makes Carelian soapstone soft and relatively easy to form. High magnetite content makes it sturdy.

Density of soapstone is 2980 kg/m3. Melting point is 1640 degrees Centigrade. Thermal conductivity 6.4 W / (mK). Carelian soapstone is chemically very durable material, for example laboratory countertops were manufactured from soapstone for this reason. It also complies with Finnish food products legislations to be used in direct contact with food products.

Carelian soapstone has been formed from soft and semi-soft minerals:

Talc 40-50 %
Magnetite 40-50 %
Pennite 5-8 %

Talc makes Carelian soapstone soft and relatively easy to form. High magnetite content makes it sturdy.

Density of soapstone is 2980 kg/m3. Melting point is 1640 degrees Centigrade. Thermal conductivity 6.4 W / (mK). Carelian soapstone is chemically very durable material, for example laboratory countertops were manufactured from soapstone for this reason. It also complies with Finnish food products legislations to be used in direct contact with food products.