Petoskey stones aren’t typically found in Wisconsin; however, if you travel to Lake Michigan, then your chances of finding these bizarre yet beautiful stones increase dramatically. These extinct fossil corals can be found along the lake.
Can you find Petoskey stones outside of Michigan?
Petoskey stones can be found outside of the Petoskey area, including the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan as well as areas of Michigan east of Mackinac on Lake Huron.
What states can you find Petoskey stones?
The Petoskey stone, Michigan’s state stone – and its lesser-known cousin, the Charlevoix stone – are unique to the Great Lakes and can be found along the shores of Michigan’s lower peninsula.
Can you find Petoskey stones in inland lakes?
The Petoskey stone is fossilized coral formed roughly 300 million years ago, when what is now Michigan sat underneath a warm, shallow sea. The stones are most often found in gravel pits, in inland lakes in Northern Michigan, and in Lakes Michigan and Huron.
Where can I legally collect rocks in Wisconsin?
The best places to rockhound in Wisconsin are stream beds, river gravels, quarries, glacial moraine gravels, and lakeshore beaches. Northwestern and Southwestern Wisconsin are particularly notable destinations for rockhounds, with very productive locations in local river gravels and mining dumps.
Are Petoskey stones illegal to take?
According to the DNR, you are only allowed to remove 25lbs of stones per years. The Federal Government does not permit the removal of rocks from state lands. If any Petoskey Stone weighs over 25lbs, the DNR has the right to confiscate it.
Is it legal to collect Petoskey stones?
Although Petoskey stone collection is strictly prohibited on federal lands, such as the National Lakeshore, rock hunters may still collect up to 25 pounds of stones per year outside of the Park, on state-owned lands. Petoskeys are the official state stone and very abundant along Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Where is the best place to look for Petoskey stones?
Lake Michigan beach
The most popular place for hunting Petoskey Stones is a Lake Michigan beach. Although the beaches are the hot spots, those ancient glaciers spread the fossils around the area and rockhounds know to leave the lakeshore to search cut roadbeds, gravel pits and even farmer’s fields.
Where can I get pink Petoskey Stone?
Although Petoskey Stones are found in other places, the finest ones come from our area. The state stone of Michigan (the greenstone or chlorastrolite is the state gem), the Petoskey stone is found around Petoskey of course, but also on beaches, gravel pits, and gravel roads across the state.
How can you tell if you have a Petoskey Stone?
You can identify the Petoskey Stone by the hexagon pattern that covers them. Each hexagon has a dark center radiating out to a white outline. Every year, locals, as well as visitors, comb the beaches looking for the unusual stones.
What is a Petoskey Stone worth?
Unpolished, quality Petoskey stones are available at an average of around $4 per pound. This price is for about 2-5 stones per pound.
What are Charlevoix stones?
The Charlevoix stone is a Favosite which have a smaller coral-esq pattern and a lighter or white color set of small rays radiating from the eye forming the characteristic hexagonal shape which are lighter and they don’t always attach to the center dot.
What is the largest Petoskey Stone ever found?
In the late 1990s, the largest Petoskey Stone yet discovered, a one-ton monolith, was found by an amateur fossil hunter at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (outside of Traverse City).
Can diamonds be found in Wisconsin?
At least seven diamond discoveries were made in Wisconsin between 1876 and 1913. All diamonds were found in Pleistocene glacial deposits or Holo- cene river gravel. The diamonds must have been eroded from one or more kimberlite bodies because kimberlite is the only primary bedrock source of diamonds.
Can I take rocks from Lake Michigan in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is among the best places for rockhounding due to its immense diversity in the rocks, minerals, gemstones, and crystals you can find there.
| Rock | Location |
|---|---|
| Petoskey Stones | Lake Michigan |
| Agates | Chippewa County, La Crosse County, Devil’s Lake |
| Yooperlites | Northwoods, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan |
Can I take rocks from a beach in Wisconsin?
3., no person may collect rocks, minerals or fossil materials on state natural areas, state wild rivers, state parks, state trails, Havenwoods state forest preserve, state recreation areas, Point Beach and Kettle Moraine state forests, and any specific site which is designated as a noncollection site by the department.
How many Petoskey stones can you have?
The state laws say you cannot collect more than 25lbs of stones, minerals, or fossils per year from Michigan beaches.
Can you take rocks from state land in Michigan?
There is a 25lb annual limit on the collection of rocks, minerals and fossils from state-owned land and lands held in the public trust in the state of Michigan. Collecting artifacts and antiquities of any kind (including shipwreck material and native artifacts) from state and public trust lands is illegal.
Is it illegal to take driftwood off the beach Michigan?
But the Department of Natural Resources says it’s illegal to remove it and violators could face fines. Driftwood provides food and shelter for fish and other wildlife. Jim Bishop of the DNR says people are using the wood as yard ornaments or selling it to vendors.
How many pounds of rocks can you take in Michigan?
Michigan law prohibits removing more than 25 pounds of rocks or minerals per year from state-owned lands, including Great Lakes bottomlands. Violation could bring a civil fine of up to $500.
Can you take Petoskey stones from Sleeping Bear Dunes?
Removal of Petoskey stones is prohibited at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The state of Michigan allows for 25 lbs. of collecting per visit. Best times to go hunting include after or during rain (easier to spot the coral patterns) or in spring after the ice on the lake thaws out.