What is Pipestone made of?
Geologically, pipestone is metamorphic clay (silicate of alumina). The red color results from oxidation of trace amounts of iron. The formation of the soft red stone called pipestone or “catlinite” began about 1.2 billion years ago when oceans covered Minnesota. Layers of clay and sand collected on the ocean floor and became buried by other sedimentary materials. Time, pressure and chemical changed turned the sand to quartzite and the clay to pipestone.
Geologically, pipestone is metamorphic clay (silicate of alumina). The red color results from oxidation of trace amounts of iron. The formation of the soft red stone called pipestone or “catlinite” began about 1.2 billion years ago when oceans covered Minnesota. Layers of clay and sand collected on the ocean floor and became buried by other sedimentary materials. Time, pressure and chemical changed turned the sand to quartzite and the clay to pipestone. More on Geology.
