In Houston, Soapstone has not caught on like it has on the east coast.  It has remarkable properties, the most noteworthy being the difference in appearance after you rub mineral oil into it or even just wet it.  The closest comparison is a chalkboard.  I just walked into our shop and wiped a wet rag over the surface of the right half of this slab of Stillwater Grey Soapstone.  Its amazing.

Soapstone oiled vs untreated