Soapstone or Steatite is a natural occurring metamorphic rock ranging in age from 300 to 400 million years. Soapstone is composed of several minerals including talc, magnetite, chlorite, dolomite, and mica. The name “soap” stone was derived because of its high talc content which gives the smooth feeling of rubbing a piece of dry soap. Their color range from gray to green. The only care and maintenance for Soapstone is to seal it periodically with mineral oil, which also enhances its natural colors.

Soapstone is resistant to acids and alkalis. Because it can withstand high traffic abuse, Soapstone has been used in science classrooms and labs along with work tables and countertops for over a hundred years.

Soapstone is also a conductor of heat – another one of its remarkable characteristic! It can endure very high and extreme temperature fluctuations. This innate property makes Soapstone resistant to any physical damages. One of the early uses of Soapstone was as masonry heater fireplaces, pizza ovens, and/or wood stoves. Thus, you never have to worry about damaging your Soapstone countertop if you accidentally put hot pots and pans directly on them. So don’t worry!

Because of its softness, Soapstone was also a popular material for sculpting.

Lastly, Soapstone was also known as “Whiskey Stones”. Small soapstone cubes were used to chill alcoholic beverages, specifically, a glass of whiskey, by putting them in the freezer in place of ice cubes. It could keep a drink cold for 30 minutes or longer.

With all of these physical properties, coupled with its natural beauty, Soapstone is a highly-touted and much sought after material for kitchen countertops. Not only is it used for kitchen countertops but to add a further testament to its robust qualities, Soapstone was used for the famed “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

So what are you waiting for? Come and visit Pietra Fina to see our newest selections of Soapstone and we promise, you won’t be disappointed!

Or click on this link Current Online Inventory – Other

We are proud to announce our new partnership with the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association has been leading the kitchen and bath industry for nearly 50 years. With nearly 40,000 members across the United States and Canada, the NKBA requires professionalism and ethical business practices from all its members.

When you buy a product or service from a business that’s a member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, you know that company has agreed to be bound by the NKBA’s code of professional conduct, which requires that the company will:

1.Conduct its business in a manner that’s honorable and fair to customers.
2.Avoid conflicts of interest by accepting payment from only one party in a transaction, except with the express consent of all parties.
3.Never make false or misleading statements to consumers, employees, or other businesses.
4.Disclose all interest charges and other fees to consumers up front.
5.Help customers to understand and receive all the products and services entitled to them in the sales agreement.
6.Offer services without prejudice to age, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, handicap, or veteran status.
7.Refrain from using any questionable methods of soliciting business.
8.Cooperate with other industry members for the good of the customer.

By choosing to do business with a member of the NKBA, you’ve chosen to work with a company that’s dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services for the kitchen or bath.

For additional information on how the NKBA helps consumers, visit our Dream section where you’ll find a gallery of award-winning kitchen and bath designs from NKBA members. In addition, visit the Learn section under “for Homeowners” to find articles and tips written specifically for homeowners and an extensive glossary of kitchen and bath remodeling terms. There, you can also e-mail questions to the NKBA’s kitchen and bath experts and also download the NKBA Kitchen Planner & Bath Planner.

Introducing our new line of Antique shallow sinks made from Continental White Marble of French or Spanish 19th century origin. For more information, go to Current Online Inventory, and click on the category Antique White Marble Sinks to see them all. Please call us at (510) 670-1010 for pricing.

Thank you for visiting our website and we look forward to seeing you at our showroom!

Design Resource Day June 8th, 2011

Congratulations to Courtney Cuschieri, of Charisma Design
for winning Pietra Fina’s $500 Gift Certificate!

We would also like to thank everyone who visited Pietra Fina’s booth yesterday at Design Resource Day. It was a pleasure meeting you all and we hope to see you at our showroom soon!

Beautiful white marble slabs.

Gorgeous white marble slabs!

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, let Pietra Fina do this for you…Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so this contest will appeal to all those who are crazy in love!

Simply purchase any Granite, Marble, Limestone, or any other Stone from Pietra Fina worth $2,000 and your name will automatically be entered in the drawing. The winner will be chosen on February 14, 2011 (winner does not need to be present) and will be informed by e-mail and telephone call.

The lucky winner is entitled to a one night stay at Hotel Luca, (www.hotellucanapa.com) the premier luxury hotel located in Napa Valley plus a one year complimentary subscription to San Francisco Magazine (www.sanfranmag.com). For a truly Tuscan experience, try the hotel’s dining room Cantinetta Piero. It’s menus are inspired by the food of Tuscany and they bake their own breads and pastries daily.

This getaway to remember is valued at $400 (no cash value) and this offer exprires on October 31, 2011. 

Some restrictions apply.

- Advance room reservations required.

- Valid 7 days for rooms only and excluding holidays and special events.

- Not valid for groups.

- Subject to Availability and does not include service fees or taxes.

Buona Fortuna!

Designed by Riaz Taplin