Petoskey Stone: Finding, Identifying, and Collecting Michigan's Most Storied Fossil

by Dan R. Lynch

Overview

Your Definitive Guide to Petoskey Stone

Michigan’s state stone is prized for its beautiful patterning, which is said to resemble the rays of the rising sun. Take an in-depth look at the famous fossilized coral—including a summary of the fascinating natural history, which began 400 million years ago. Learn all about it, and then head out and search for your own.

Get expert advice from author Dan R. Lynch on how to identify and collect Petoskey stones. With tips on where to look and what to look for, along with information about Petoskey lookalikes and other fossils you might find, your rock-hounding trips will be better than ever! Suggestions on what to do with your finds and how much they’re worth add to the knowledge you’ll gain from Petoskey Stone.

From Lake Michigan beaches and Petoskey State Park to gravel pits and riverbeds, grab this book and begin your rock-hunting adventure!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591938415
Publisher:	Adventure Publications, Incorporated
Publication date:	02/19/2019
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	442,997
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.10(d)

About the Author

Dan R. Lynch grew up in his parents’ rock shop—Agate City, in Two Harbors, Minnesota—on the shores of Lake Superior, where he learned the nuances of rock, mineral, and fossil identification firsthand. He has always enjoyed sharing his knowledge, and after earning his degree in graphic design with emphasis on photography from the University of Minnesota Duluth, it seemed a natural choice to combine all of his interests by writing rock and mineral field guides. His father, Bob Lynch, a respected veteran of the Lake Superior agate-collecting community, helped him get his start in this endeavor, and now Dan enjoys helping amateurs “decode” the complexities of geology and mineralogy. Many of his books focus on specific favorites, such as Lake Superior agates or Petoskey stone, and he takes pride that they all feature his true-to-life photographs and easy-to-read text. He currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with his wife, Julie, where he works as an author, artist, and classical numismatist.

Read an Excerpt

How Do I Find Petoskey Stones?

Part of the reason Petoskey stone is so popular is because it’s accessible for almost everyone to find. Finding Petoskey stone does not require any special skills or equipment, simply the desire to venture to natural spaces and turn over every pebble at your feet.

Because it’s a variety of limestone, Petoskey stone can be tricky to spot among the multitude of other limestone and shale pebbles prevalent in the region, especially when the stones are dry. As weathering dulls the details of Petoskey stone, dry specimens are disguised as a chalky brown rock. For this reason, if you suspect a stone is a Petoskey stone, get it wet; water will help bring out the contrast in the fossil patterns, if present.

Collecting Rules and Regulations

Before you start collecting Petoskey stones (or any other natural material), you need to be aware of the collecting rules and regulations where you are. First of all, collecting in national parks is always prohibited, and many state parks also forbid any collecting. One notable exception is Petoskey State Park, just outside Petoskey, where collecting is allowed. In other state parks, be sure to check the rules and regulations. Of course, you also cannot collect on private property if you don’t have permission from the landowner.

And if you’re collecting Petoskey stones on public land, the state of Michigan imposes strict limits on how much you can collect each year. An individual can only collect 25 pounds a year from public land. This means that you could collect many small specimens or just a few large ones, but once you’ve reached your limit, please respect these laws and leave your next finds behind.

If you happen to come across a large specimen that exceeds 25 pounds, you unfortunately need to leave it where you found it. In exceptional cases, when a very large piece in excess of 100 pounds or more is discovered, you’re encouraged to report it to local officials. Those who have tried to take home such large discoveries are typically met with confiscation and fines.

Table of Contents

Petoskey Stones, and How They Formed

Finding and Identifying Petoskey Stones

What to Do with Your Finds

What Is My Petoskey Stone Worth?

Glossary

Bibliography and Recommended Reading

About the Author