Catlinite

Catlinite, also called pipestone, is a type of argillite (metamorphosed mudstone), usually brownish-red in color, which occurs in a matrix of Sioux Quartzite.

Because it is fine-grained and easily worked, it is prized by Native Americans, primarily those of the Plains nations, for use in making ceremonial pipes, known as chanunpas or čhaŋnúŋpas in the Lakota language.

[citation needed] The red catlinite from the Pipestone, Minnesota quarries is a soft claystone bed which occurs between layers of hard Sioux Quartzite.

[citation needed] Utah pipestone has a more variable range of hard and soft forms, since it occurs as layers between deposits of harder slates.

A large range of pipestones exist, not just those in Minnesota, and numerous Native American tribes use a variety of materials in addition to catlinite for pipemaking.

Native American, Plains (unidentified). Pipe Bowl representing Owl, early 20th century. Catlinite or pipestone, 3 3 ⁄ 4 × 5 3 ⁄ 8 in. (9.5 × 13.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum
Protohistoric Catlinite pipe, probably late 17th century Ioway , from the Wanampito site in Iowa .
Ceremonial pipe bowl of catlinite used by Black Hawk , on display at Black Hawk State Historic Site in Illinois .
High grade red pipestone from Delta, Utah .