Talc is a mineral that is most commonly known in the form of soft white talcum powder. However, the substance, which is usually described as exhibiting a greasy, soapy feel, may occur in a range of colors that extends from gray to red to brown, depending on the impurities present. The hydrous silicate of magnesium, which sometimes occurs as an alternation product of tremolite, may also be found in a variety of forms, including finely or coarsely granular masses, as well as the thin layers known as folia in which it most commonly occurs. Compact aggregates of talc are often known as soapstone, a material that has been a popular choice for carvings and ornamental items since antiquity.