Soapstone, comprised mainly of talc, is a soft, non-porous metamorphic rock that forms under high heat and pressure, commonly found in various countries including Brazil, China, and India. It has notable properties such as heat resistance and low electrical conductivity, making it useful in applications ranging from cooking to electronics. Historically, it has been utilized by Native Americans for crafting tools and cooking vessels and continues to be used for countertops and carvings due to its durability and ease of manipulation.