Pipestone Specimen

Natural pipestone, also called catlinite, is a mudstone (or argillite) found in central North America. It gets its popular name from its use by some Indigenous Tribes for making ceremonial smoking pipes. Catlinite pipes and figures are powerfully connected to the histories, cultures and practices of many Plains tribal groups. These rich traditions are best consulted independently, as different cultural groups assign different meanings to the stone and items created from it.