Soapstone is a soft rock that is capable of being carved and etched to great deal without fracturing. It is mined in the mountains of Quang Ninh in northern Viet Nam. Each box is a symbol of both the aesthetics and talent of the Vietnamese artisans. The soapstone is designed, carved and painted to produce a complete masterpiece. Each box consists of a variety of colors and shades, lines and curves, shapes and sizes which are handled with care by many different artisans. Every box takes hours to finish ultimately to become a one of a kind piece, truly a reflexion of the character of Vietnam you cannot find anywhere else. Though it is rock, the soapstone is  fragile and will break if it is dropped.