ALGER – At first glance, the rock face in the Chuckanut Mountains appeared ordinary. However, this particular section on Blanchard Mountain was anything but typical. Hidden within its layers of white quartz veins and dark green chert was a remarkable deposit of the mineral stilpnomelane. The jet-black stilpnomelane, crystallized into stunning rosettes, stood out against the white and green background like shiny black stars.
The opportunity to collect stilpnomelane drew members of the Washington State Mineral Council to the mountain’s slopes. They were eager to add this mineral to their collections, either in its raw form or polished to showcase its beauty.
“This is the only place in the world where you can find this,” said Ed Lehman, a trustee of the mineral council. “It’s pretty special.” The council, comprised of representatives from about 25 rock and mineral clubs, organizes field trips several times a year, allowing enthusiasts to collect materials with experienced guides. Lehman led this particular expedition.
Armed with hammers, wedges, chisels, and pry bars, the group set to work extracting the stilpnomelane, searching for the distinctive black spots within the quartz deposits. Kathleen Hansson and her husband Bob traveled from Olympia to join the hunt. Bob, a member of the Olympia Rock Club, became part of the mineral council after participating in a previous trip led by Lehman.
“He is incredibly knowledgeable,” Bob Hansson said of Lehman. “He knows how to extract the minerals and ensures everyone leaves with a good amount. Rockhounds are very generous and willing to share their finds.” Lehman had all the collected rocks placed into a communal pile, allowing each participant to take pieces until the pile was depleted.
Discovering a New Passion
Kathleen Hansson accompanies her husband on these field trips multiple times a year. “This is Bob’s hobby,” she explained. “He’s a retired psychology professor, and after retiring, he needed something to do. This hobby gets us outside, traveling to beautiful places and attending rock and gem shows.”
This was their first visit to the Chuckanuts and their first experience collecting stilpnomelane. Kathleen noted that often, you can’t fully appreciate what you’ve collected until you return home and examine it closely. The Hanssons planned to cut and polish their finds. “This area is stunning,” Kathleen said. “And the mineral is fascinating once polished. We always learn a lot on these trips.”
While Kathleen observed, Bob clung to the steep rock face, attempting to extract a large piece of rock dotted with the coveted stilpnomelane. The task was not easy. Chert tends to shatter like glass, and working with heavy hammers on steep inclines made the extraction challenging.
The Thrill of the Hunt
Despite the difficulty, everyone was eager to meet the challenge. “I love the color of the chert,” Bob said. “They say you can polish it to look like agate. Stilpnomelane is beautiful when polished, and I plan to display it on my mantle.”
Allen Wood from Shelton shared a similar sentiment as he worked on his section of the rock wall. A member of the mineral council for about a year, Wood has learned much from Lehman and others. “It was a long drive, but worth it,” he said. “It’s a fun hobby that gets you outdoors. This is tough work, but completely worth it once polished.”
Wood emphasized the need for precision. “You have to be careful with a chisel and hammer,” he said. “It takes skill, or you’ll end up breaking everything.” With a final swing, Wood freed a rock piece full of stilpnomelane. Lehman examined it, declaring, “This is a big, beautiful piece. A great example of the mineral.”
