How do you identify argillite?
How do you identify argillite?
In an inconspicuous area, such as the bottom or base of the carving, one could use material of a slightly harder material, such as a copper penny, to scratch the stone. If the stone can be scratched by this material, this could be an indication that the piece is argillite.
What is argillite stone?
Argillite ( /ˈɑːrdʒɪlaɪt/) is a fine-grained sedimentary rock composed predominantly of indurated clay particles. Argillaceous rocks are basically lithified muds and oozes. They contain variable amounts of silt-sized particles. The argillites grade into shale when the fissile layering typical of shale is developed.
What was argillite used for?
Some varieties split into slate-like sheets. Argillite has been used for sinks, counter tops, roofing, and walkways. Argillite is also known as a traditional carving material used by the Haidas, native Americans that inhabit the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia.Ordibe
What is argillite worth?
Haida artists turn the stone into pendants, miniature totem poles and other items representing Haida cultural themes. A simple, small pendant by a young artist can sell for a few hundred dollars. An elaborate design — perhaps one with inlays of gold or ivory — by an experienced carver can sell for $20,000 or more.
What does argillite look like?
Argillite, also known as the ‘gem of Haida Gwaii’, can be identified by it’s smooth, black exterior. The natural stone is a soft greyish black, and reveals a striking, shiny black finish when worked by carvers.
Where can you find argillite?
Argillite is a type of rock that is transitional between slate and shale. The quarry site for Haida argillite is found on the Islands of Haida Gwaii also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands at the Slatechuck site.
Where is argillite found in NZ?
Nelson-Marlborough region
Known to Māori as pakohe, and to geologists as metamorphosed indurated mudstone, argillite is particularly associated with the Nelson-Marlborough region in New Zealand. It is found on Rangitoto (D’Urville Island), along the Whangamoa mineral belt, and in the upper reaches of the Maitai, Wairoa and Motueka Rivers.
What is the difference between argillite and shale?
As nouns the difference between shale and argillite is that shale is saddle while argillite is (geology) a fine-grained sedimentary rock, intermediate between shale and slate, sometimes used as a building material.
Where is argillite found?
What is the texture of argillite?
Texture – clastic. Grain size – < 0.06mm, clasts not visible to the naked eye. Hardness – hard. Colour – grey to black, also green and red.
What kind of art is made of argillite?
Argillite totem poles, bentwood boxes, canoes, contemporary carvings, and jewelry are also popular. The authentic Haida Argillite Carvings and Sculptures offered in our gallery are all created by native artists from the Haida Nation.
How long has the argillite carving been studied?
Canadian anthropologists and ethnographers have been studying argillite for approximately 60 years as have, albeit more recently, American art historians. Argillite carving continues to thrive today and it can be expected that new phases and periods will emerge as time goes on.
Who are the owners of the argillite quarry?
The quarry is owned by the Haida who have the sole right to use the substance from that quarry for carving. Today argillite carvings are sold in galleries and fine art stores and take on more traditional Haida forms.
Where are the argillite carvings on the Haida Islands?
These forms of argillite carvings also contained a lot of visual punning and joke making both at objects and animals in general as well as European culture. The argillite that the Haida use to carve is located on Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.