How can a natural stone be heat tolerant? Most stones will discolor and crack. Yet Soapstone can take very high levels of heat. So much so that cookware has been made from this stone for centuries. Putting a red hot cooking pot right on your soapstone counter will not harm your counter tops in any way. Soapstone is regularly made into masonry heaters and ovens even now. There is no natural stone found that can take the high levels of heat that soapstone can take. The high density really allows this stone to be very useful in the kitchen, bath, fireplace area and much more. Come to Soapstone Werks and see what Greg has done with this beautiful and versatile stone.