Candy Gelman, age 10, of Reno, Nev., for her question:

WHERE DOES SOAPSTONE COME FROM?

Soapstone is a soft rock composed mostly of mineral talc. It is also known as steatite. The United States ranks among the leading producers with deposits found in California, New York, North Carolina and Virginia.

Other countries that produce soapstone include Canada, France and Italy.

Soapstone feels soapy oily and varies from white to gray and greenish gray. It is formed in the earth by changes in the structure and composition of an igneous rock.

Soapstone is used for laboratory tabletops, sinks and some chemical equipment. Powdered soapstone is added to cosmetics, paper and paint as a filler. Soapstone in paper produces a smooth surface.

Tailors use pieces of soapstone called French chalk to mark cloth.