MICHIGAN
State Rock: Petoskey Stone [Fossilized Coral] (1966)
State Gemstone: Chlorastrolite (1973)
State Fossil: Mastodon (2002)
Michigan is one of the best states in the U.S. for rockhounding!
Be sure to visit the Upper Peninsula, it has a long history of copper mining and also contains Agates and Isle Royale Greenstone, as well as iron ore deposits.
Michigan is famous for its Petoskey Stone though and can be found along its extensive shoreline.
While in Michigan you can search the shorelines of the Great Lakes or scour through the tailings of old mines.
Think Upper Peninsula for Agates and Lower Peninsula for Petoskey Stones.
INFORMATON
Yooperlites were just discovered recently back in 2017 by Erik Rintamaki. Took him a year or so to figure out what they were but come to find out they are fluorescent sodalite along with some other properties. Being that he is the founder of this special mix of minerals he named them “yooperlites Yooper because that is what the people call themselves in the region, and lite, because they light up.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- 1 or 2 buckets
- UV Flashlight (You can find one on eBay or from Yooperlites.com)
FISHERMAN’S ISLAND STATE PARK
INFORMATON
Rockhounding in Michigan on Lake Michigan finding awesome rare Petoskey Stones!
These are actually 350 Million Year old Fossils turned into rock.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- 1 or 2 buckets
POLISHING PETOSKEY STONES
DRUMMOND ISLAND
INFORMATON
This year the great lakes have all been very high at record levels. This causes lots of erosion, which shows fresh rocks that may have not seen the surface in thousands of years!! Whaaaaaat!
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Waterproof Boots
- 1 or 2 buckets
Disclaimer
Please note that rock collecting locations are always changing so be sure to check with the site owner for the most current information before going.
Dig safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect rocks.
