Question from Peru Lover
Does anyone know what kind of varnish they use on soapstone carvings from Peru and how toxic it is?
I want to buy a cute mini animal sculpture but it’s awfully shiny. Seller is in the USA and doesn’t know. Assuming it’s old enough and is done off-gassing, would this be a liver-toxic chemical? (I have liver disease which I think is the cause of my MCS).
I Googled and can’t find anything further than “varnish” or “butcher’s varnish” and “wax”. On Google images, unvarnished soapstone is definitely dull and this shines all over.
Is it possible to strip the varnish at all with like vinegar&baking soda? Anyway any input will be much welcome, sorry if it’s a silly question, I know I should shop safe sellers but it’s just something inexpensive I found and well I kinda fell in love with 2 of them. Thank you so much!
Debra’s Answer
I don’t know anything about this. “Varnish” and “wax” are two very different things and could have varying degrees of toxicity, from very to not at all.
When I am uncertain about the toxicity of something, I avoid the exposure.
Seller now said it’s a glaze, if that helps anything..? Does this off-gas worse than varnish? thanks.
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
A glaze, by definition is a vitreous (glass-like) substance fused to the surface of pottery. I’m not sure how they would fuse glass to soapstone, but it wouldn’t be toxic.
I assume they just use a paint brush and then it just dries on it, no? Or maybe she just said a glaze when she meant varnish or something else?? Anyway it sounds great if it isn’t toxic but I’ve had 2nd thoughts about buying it: I am super sensitive to crystal energy in a good way here and use them frequently for healing with astonishing results. I just think it’s a bit of waste that those stones are “glazed over”, negating the crystal benefits (it also has serpentine besides soapstone). It’s still adorable but it’s a lot easier to reconcile guilt feelings at spending on something “useless” (decorative) if it had added healing energy benefits. Will think it over, thank you Debra! =)
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
When I am uncertain about something, I always say no. “Right things” always seem to appear.