The decline in water levels across the Great Lakes has been a time of change and discovery, revealing sunken ships and causing erosion along the shoreline. But it’s also led to an unexpected find – an abundance of small Petoskey stones in Saginaw Bay and other beaches. These unique stones, made up of fossilized rugose coral, are usually hidden beneath sand and silt, but high lake levels and the construction of seawalls have brought them to the surface. Whether you’re a seasoned rock collector or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, it’s worth taking a trip to the Great Lakes to see these little fossilized wonders for yourself.
However, the high lake levels have also revealed a new abundance of small Petoskey stones in Saginaw Bay and other Great Lakes beaches where these were seldom seen before. These are mixed with the small pebbles and gravel at the water’s edge, especially near new seawalls. This is a new development between Sleeper and Port Crescent State Parks in the beach areas. This phenomenon is occurring on other beaches besides the northwest shores of Lake Michigan.
Why Are Petoskey Stones Suddenly So Prevalent On Saginaw Bay? The truth is that the stones have always been in Saginaw Bay. Just they were buried by sand and silt. The high lake levels have moved some sand around to reveal gravel beds. However, so has all the work erecting hundreds of sea walls along the shore. The net result is that these little fossilized wonders are seeing the light of day.
Erosion from high lake levels reveals hidden stones every 20 to 30 years. The beaches will be almost devoid of rocks when the water levels recede. But, even today, it’s easy to find them since the water reveals them as it rises. All you have to do is take a few steps into the water.
These are small stones. It is ideal for a quick polish and to make into jewelry or to place in a terrarium with tiny plants in their native state.
What is a Petoskey Stone? A Petoskey stone is a rock and a fossil made up of Hexagonaria percarinata, a fossilized rugose coral. It is commonly pebble-shaped. Glaciers ripped stones from the bedrock, ground down their rough edges, and deposited them in the northern portions of Michigan’s lower peninsula. As a result, complete fossilized coral colony heads have been discovered in the parent rocks for the Petoskey stones in the same places of Michigan.
Petoskey stones are found in the Traverse Group’s Gravel Point Formation. They are coral reef remnants that were initially deposited during the Devonian period. The stone seems like an ordinary grey limestone when dry, but when wet or polished with lapidary processes, the mottled pattern of the six-sided coral fossils is revealed. These stones are used to make jewelry and other decorative items. Different types of fossilized coral, such as the Cheboygan Stone, are also prevalent in the northern Great Lakes.
Since these stones are so unique looking and only found in a few areas they are very popular with rock collectors. We’re very lucky to be in a state that has a ton of great places for rockhounding near you no matter where you are. However, the ability for locals to find Petoskey Stones is another great example of what makes our state geology stand out. Once you fill up your collection there are so many other rocks and minerals you can find.
How to identify and clean your Petoskey Stones. Once you’ve found your Petoskey stones, it’s important to know how to identify and clean them. Here are some tips to help you identify and clean your Petoskey stones:
1. Identify your stones. Petoskey stones are typically light-colored, with a distinctive honeycomb pattern. To identify your stones, look for the hexagonal cells that make up the pattern. You can also try shining a light on the stone to see if it has a fossilized coral pattern.
2. Clean your stones. To clean your Petoskey stones, soak them in warm water for a few minutes to loosen any dirt or debris. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the stones, being careful not to damage the honeycomb pattern. Rinse the stones in clean water, and dry them with a soft cloth.
How to Polish Petoskey Stones By Hand.
Is it Illegal to Take Petoskey Stones? Mlive discussed the question with a National Park Ranger. His suggestion was sound. Andrew Blake, acting chief ranger at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire, advised against rock hunting in national parks. Collecting anything within the park is prohibited, and anyone caught doing so will face a hefty fine. “We mostly educate individuals and provide warnings, but we do issue tickets on occasion,” Blake explained. If you take any fossils or wood, you will be fined at least $325. However, in Michigan State Parks, you are permitted to collect up to 25 pounds of rocks for each person.
Individuals may not take more than 25 pounds of rocks, fossils, or minerals per year from state parks, recreation zones, or the Great Lakes bottomlands in Michigan, according to state law.
Finding Petoskey Stones in Saginaw Bay. This silent video shows a rockhound scooping up dozens of Petoskey stones a couple of feet away from the sandy beach on a quiet day with no waves. The conditions are ideal. An exposed rocky area in shallow water with little or no wave action. He also shows success near recent seawalls that have been constructed on Lake Huron over the past two years as a result of the high lake levels.
Tips and Tricks For Finding A Petoskey Stone. Find an uncrowded and somewhat rocky stretch of Saginaw Bay or Lake Huron beach. It’s perfectly fine and legal to wade in the shallow gravel area at the water’s edge. Bring a driver’s mask to see clearly in calm waters. It will make finding these little Petoskey stones a lot easier.
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