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.
CRISP POINT LIGHTHOUSE
on Lake Superior
INFORMATON
The Crystal Collector will show you how to collect the fluorescent mineral sodalite aka: Yooperlites from the Great Lakes region of Michigan, Lake Superior.. These rocks have a natural glow to them called fluorescence when a longwave UV light is shined on them. What looks to be magic is just science, the electrons are excited and causes the rocks to glow a bright orange color. You will see how to spot one of these beautiful rocks along the beach at Crisp Point Lighthouse, a new location!
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Buckets or Back Packs
- Warm clothing if you go in the winter
- Rubber boots if you go in the winter
- Gloves if you go in the winter
- Food and Water
AGATE HUNTING at MISERY BAY
on LAKE SUPERIOR
INFORMATON
The crystal collector goes agate hunting on Lake superior! The agates in this region will leave you speechless. The formation of these agates has drawn people for decades and decades to this area of Lake superior for spectacular rockhounding! It’s about time The Crystal Collector™ finally made it up to this wonderful Rockhound destination!
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
What we recommend
- Gloves
- Weather appropriate gear
- Food and water
- 1 or 2 buckets
INFORMATON
The Caledonia Mine is set in the north side of the Caledonia Bluff, overlooking the beautiful valley of the Flint Steel River, near Mass City, Michigan. The tunnel now in use is the lowest of four adits as you come down the bluff. This tunnel is over 1.5 miles in length and connects underground with the Nebraska Mine to the West and the Knowlton and Mass Mines to the East.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
What we provide
- Depending on your pile, we provide tools, buckets and running water (see descriptions)
- Port-o-pottys on site
- Picnic area with shade and grill
What we recommend
- Gloves, goggles, closed toed shoes (required)
- Weather appropriate gear (poncho, ran boots) We dig rain or shine!
- Food and water, as you will be digging through the lunch hour1 or 2 buckets
HOURS:
9:30 am – 1:30 pm
PRICES:
Single-Person Ore Pile
1-2 adults | 2-4 hours | $100
Tailings
1 adult | 2-4 hours | $50
Datolite Pile
1-2 adults | 1.5 cubic yards | 2-4 hours | $200
There is no address associated with the mine. Please consult the map below.
The last 2 miles of road is considered both an ATV trail and a heavy-duty equipment zone.
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.