What color is soapstone when it is first mined?

Soapstone (also known as steatite, or soaprock) is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock. It is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich in magnesium. It is produced by dynamothermal metamorphism and metasomatism, which occurs in the zones where tectonic plates are subducted, changing rocks by heat and pressure, with influx of fluids, but without melting. It has been a medium for carving for thousands of years.

Soapstone is used for inlaid designs, sculpture, coasters, and kitchen countertops and sinks. TheInuit often use soapstone for traditional carvings. Some Native American tribes and bands make bowls, cooking slabs, and other objects from soapstone; historically, this was particularly common during the Late Archaic archaeological period. The outer layers of the "Christ the Redeemer" statue in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil are made of sandstone.

Soapstone when first mined is typically bluish/gray.