Petoskey Stones: 350 Million Years of History
Roughly 350 million years ago, the region of present-day Michigan was a tropical environment, with seas covering the area where Lake Michigan lies. The surrounding bodies of water were home to a species of coral known as Hexagonaria percarinata.
Over the millions of years that followed, pieces of fossilized coral broke free from the bedrock, ultimately washing ashore along the western coastline of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, most commonly found in the Petoskey and Charlevoix areas. This is how they came to be known as Petoskey Stones. The unique hexagonal patterns of each stone represent individual members of the original coral colony.
Where to find Petoskey Stones:
Charlevoix’s Lake Michigan beaches are the perfect place to hunt for Petoskey stones. Due to waves, winter ice, storms, and constantly changing water levels, stones that have remained buried for millions of years continue to wash up along the shoreline year after year.
Best Hunting Locations:
Tips for Hunting Petoskey Stones:
An ideal starting point for your hunt is directly along the waterline, where waves can splash against your ankles. Walk slowly and keep an eye out for clusters of smooth grey or brown stones with faint hexagonal shapes.
Identifying Petoskey stones becomes significantly easier when they are wet. Different hunting techniques include bringing along a spray bottle to mist the stones, or simply washing them directly in the lake.
It is highly recommended to search the rocky shoreline rather than sandy stretches. Remember to bring along essentials such as water shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a good dose of patience. Hunting Petoskey stones takes time, but searching is half the fun!
Polishing Petoskey Stones:
A polished Petoskey stone gives the stone a perpetual shine, highlighting its unique designs.
Polishing Steps:
- Wet the Petoskey stone and begin sanding with coarse sandpaper.
- Gradually switch to finer sandpaper until the surface is smooth.
- Rub the stone with a polishing compound and a soft cloth.
- Buff the stone until it becomes shiny.