The Haida Native people are renowned for their beautiful black slate or Argillite carvings. They began carving Argillite in response to the early curio trade of the 1820's. Soon the artistic accomplishments of the Haida in the use of materials such as wood, horn, abalone and stone included this new medium.The Argillite used by Haida carvers is black or grey carbonaceous shale found at Slatechuck Creek on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Argillite is a relatively soft stone to carve, although it's difficult to obtain large pieces from the quarries. You may find the odd large carved piece every so ften.Apart from small Totem Poles, the primary objects carved from Argillite include plates with incised designs, pendants, pipes, small boxes and sculptured figures. Some carvers give their work a high polish with an emery cloth or other materials which enhance the deep black qualities of the stone.Even today, Argillite continues to be carved exclusively by Haida artists both on the Queen Charlotte Islands (their homeland) and in the Vancouver and Victoria areas.Haida people are the only ones permitted to dig the quarry and carve this stone. You cannot find Argillite any where else but on Haida Gwaii. more... See more text