Quartz vs. Soapstone Countertops

Quartz and soapstone countertops offer distinctive designs that last. Quartz offers a sleek, modern look with greater durability, consistent design, and minimal upkeep. Soapstone brings a natural feel with heat resistance and a soft matte finish that deepens over time. The best fit for you depends on your desired style, budget, and upkeep.

Inverness Stonestreet™

Quartz vs. Soapstone

Curious about the similarities and differences of quartz and soapstone countertops? Explore what sets them apart.

What Is Quartz?

Quartz countertops are made of abundant natural quartz crystals that are then combined with binders and pigments to create its final, beautiful product. This process enables quartz countertops to be extremely durable, nonabsorbent, and resistant to stains, scratches, and chips. Available in a wide range of designs, colors, and consistent patterns, quartz also presents a uniform look from slab to slab.

What Is Soapstone?

Soapstone is a natural stone quarried in large blocks, then transported to fabrication facilities and cut into slabs of desired thickness. Despite its softness, it’s dense and nonporous, with excellent resistance to heat, acids, and chemicals. Its color typically ranges from gray to green or bluish tones, often with subtle veining. Over time, the surface darkens and develops a rich, natural patina.

Performance: Quartz vs. Soapstone

Quartz and soapstone stand out as popular surface materials. Discover the differences between how the two perform.

Learn more about quartz countertops

Maintenance

Quartz countertops are maintenance free, stain resistant, naturally nonabsorbent, and NSF-51 certified, and they never need sealing. To clean, just wipe with warm water, a soft cotton cloth, and mild soap, if desired. Soapstone is also nonabsorbent and easy to clean, but requires regular oiling to prevent staining, enhance its patina, and maintain a consistent appearance over time.

red wine on summerhill quartz countertops

Black Rock™

Durability

Quartz is highly durable, resisting scratches, stains, and chips for lasting performance. Soapstone is softer and more prone to scratches and dents, though many marks can be buffed out with effort. While soapstone handles heat better in some cases, sudden temperature changes may damage either material, so trivets are always recommended. For greater peace of mind, Cambria quartz surfaces come with a transferable Full Lifetime Warranty.

Woodcroft™

Appearance

Quartz countertops offer a wide range of consistent colors and patterns, making them a versatile choice across styles and color schemes—while creating a cohesive look in any space. Soapstone features soft, matte finishes in darker tones like gray, green, and blue, often with natural veining. Its surface darkens over time, developing a dark patina. Cambria offers quartz designs that capture the look of other natural stones, including soapstone.

Woodcroft™

Environmental Impact

Quartz is harvested by removing small aggregate quartz stones, which leaves a smaller footprint and generates less waste. This harvesting practice allows for more optimal native vegetation restoration. Responsible sourcing can help minimize its footprint.

Countertop Cost Considerations

When deciding between quartz and soapstone countertops, cost can vary widely based on materials and installation. Be sure to consider both surface pricing and long-term value when making your choice.

Learn about quartz pricing

Inverness Stonestreet™

Soapstone-Look Quartz Countertops

Get the look of soapstone with the added durability and maintenance-free properties of quartz. Cambria offers refined designs that capture its elegance while performing beautifully in high-traffic spaces.

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Inverness Stonestreet™

This luxurious dark beauty features a deep charcoal gray and black background with soft creamy whites and rich Inverness® veins.

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Woodcroft™

Bold and black, this design simply commands attention with its rich, ebony tones punctuated by micro-shimmering gold veins.

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Detailed view of Cambria Woodcroft quartz countertop

Black Rock™

Charcoal veins form abstract shapes on a dense black background in this design named for Black Rock, Arkansas. Gensler product design consultant.

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Detailed view of Cambria Black Rock quartz countertop

Soapstone-Look Countertop Samples

Loving multiple Cambria designs? Order samples to see which ones best stand out in your home. Just select the ones you want, and we’ll send them to your home.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambria quartz surface a natural stone?

Cambria is made from pure natural quartz, pigments, and binders. Quartz is the extremely hard mineral that gives Cambria its strength. Our unique process results in a quartz product of elegance, style, and superior durability.

How do Cambria quartz surfaces compare to soapstone?

Cambria quartz surfaces offer more durability, design consistency, and low maintenance—ideal for modern spaces. Soapstone has a softer look and develops a natural patina over time. It’s heat resistant and nonabsorbent but requires more hands-on care to maintain its appearance.

Where can soapstone-look quartz designs be purchased?

Cambria soapstone-look designs are available through our network of retail partners. Use our online locator to find the nearest provider who can give you an accurate quartz countertop estimate. You’ll typically need cabinet dimensions, backsplash details, edge profile selections, and sink and stove measurements.