How to Pick the Perfect Petoskey Stone

[@firechicken455adventures]

It's very kind of you to show examples of nice vs. not so nice stones.

[@MichiganRocks]

It took me awhile to learn the difference. I thought I'd try to save you some frustration polishing the wrong ones.

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

Okay, I see the difference and understand your pickiness. Very nice demonstration! Thanks!

[@tashacherry1480]

A piece of home My daughter was 14 when she was told her best friend was moving from Michigan to Yamen. She was devastated. As a sort of take a piece of us with you token we polished Petoskey stone and made key chains. Love those specimens!

[@MichiganRocks]

That was a good idea. Nice of you to make the move a little easier for her.

[@bradblazoff5607]

Great thinking for a parting gift. Would love to see those keychains!

[@inTruthbyGrace]

@12:05 that one is very cool I'm definitely a rock snob, I've spent 4+ decades harvesting these things on Grand Traverse east Bay and I have not ever seen one broken all the way across the top like that ... that is a keeper! I call the brown-eyed ones "dead" and the porous ones "old". Since we have had so much shore erosion with the rising water level over the last 2 years, there are entire lengths of the beach totally now exposed but inaccessible except by paddle boards and the stones I've found on those bends are just beautiful... maybe now that I can learn how to polish them from you I'll bring some back to house this summer. Thanks for this channel. This is fun.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have done most of my collecting in Lake Huron since I live in Alpena. I have read that the Petoskey stones are softer on this side of the state and harder/better on your side. I have never really believed that since I find lots of great rocks. Since you have experience picking in Lake Michigan, I'd love to know if you find similar grades of rocks to the ones I showed in this video. I know you don't find them cracked, but other than that, do you find similar rocks?

[@davidhile5363]

I was one that would keep every one that I found but you learn pretty quick that the end result is not worth all the effort that you had to put into it. The ones I find inland on my property are generally of good quality but are fairly small compared to the ones in the water. Sometimes I will find one in the water that looks like it’s out of focus. A very informative video.

[@MichiganRocks]

I know what you mean about the out of focus ones. They're very common.

[@northernrocks543]

Great video. I am glad you made this video. I was planing on making a trip up there this spring or early summer but that is on hold for now. I now have a better under standing what to look for when I can eventually get up there. Please save some for me to find.Be safe. THANK YOU for making these videos I really appreciate it. My work is shut down and I am stuck at home the videos help allot.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad to help!

[@RobWenzel84]

That first Nice one you showed is amazing, I've never even seen one of them before,

[@MichiganRocks]

They're pretty popular here in Michigan. They're our state stone.

[@upnorthadventureswithccc]

Great explanation. All makes totally sense to me. The one at 13:21 is so awesome looking as are many others ! Thanks for sharing.

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

I actually liked that fact that you leave rocks for other people, I don't mind the fact your picky. To each his own.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks.

[@LindaSmith-vq1br]

I never questioned your choices. I just wish I was there with you so I could get at least A petoskey Stone. The third ‘wrong’ one you showed and noted it was faded, well I love it. It looks like a chrysanthemum surrounded by petoskey. It may not be a great Stone but I would give it pride of place. It is just cool in my eyes.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, that was the best of that bunch.

[@LindaSmith-vq1br]

Michigan Rocks I agree!

[@CityRockhounding]

Thanks for explaining this is detail. Really helpful to finding the right Petoskey! Thanks for your time and effort!

[@wyomingadventures]

I always figured if you didn't take it home there was a good reason why. This is a great example of why. If you took all of them home you would end up with a yard full of stones. I like some of the ones that are not all petoskey stones that you polished!

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, those partial Petoskeys can be interesting if they contain other fossils.

[@markreetz1001]

I always understood why you didn't bring home all the rocks you've picked up. You'd have to rent a warehouse to store them. But thanks for explaining what your reasons and criteria are for thumbs up or down. You showed how those flawed stones turn out--flawed. Hey, if people are willing to take home flawed rocks, no one is stopping them. Doesn't mean you have to. Good job!

[@MichiganRocks]

I thought it would be good to show how the lesser ones polish. I have a tendency to just show my successfully polished rocks and skip the not so perfect ones. I actually enjoyed showing the rocks I've learned from along the way. I still make bad judgments and bring home bad rocks, but I don't think it would be any fun if I never made a mistake.

[@moreninhapop1]

Beatiful friend Stones,great.👏

[@KatyDidRocks]

Great info about how to find good quality Petoskey stones! I'm all prepare now for when I go to Michigan. :D

[@MichiganRocks]

When is that?

[@KatyDidRocks]

@@MichiganRocks Ummm... definitely not until the quarantine is lifted. :) I don't actually have any specific plans, but it sure looks like Michigan is a great place to visit.

[@donnalantz7981]

I found a couple of petoskey stones I think are awesome today on the beach. Cant wait to polish them.

[@MichiganRocks]

Cool!

[@tbrooks6404]

Thank you for showing us your 'mistakes' as well. Learning from errors is much better than just showing us perfect rocks...although we like your perfect rocks.

[@MichiganRocks]

You'll have to make a few of your own too, but hopefully I can shorten the learning process.

[@montanasojourn]

You are not too picky. You are not greedy. You leave for other collectors to enjoy.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm a little picky.

[@annelandgraf1184]

Good instructional video. Will take this newly acquired knowledge along on our next venture. Thanks!

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome!

[@leiferiksen8172]

I agree with you,keep the ones you can work with and the ones you toss back a kid might take home.I think the mixed stones,ones with petoskey and some other fossils, make nice jewelry.your stone cutting videos are inspiring me to buy my own equipment.thanks.

[@MichiganRocks]

So I have potentially cost you a lot of money? Sorry about that.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Hahaha, "rock snob like me." :'D

[@thirstfast1025]

I think your theory at the end has merit. Unless it's been silicified juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust right, it'll probably turn to sand as soon as it hits the water (geologically speaking, so like a hundred years or so). And the ones that got too much are those hard white ones you showed us. Thanks for showing this! I don't find Petoskey up here, but I have a better eye for it now than I did before watching this!

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm really hoping this will help people understand why I throw so many back.

[@thirstfast1025]

@@MichiganRocks I understand. I hear the same thing about throwing away amethyst. You learn how to refine what you take home.

[@georginabuziak5110]

I TOTALLY get what you're showing us.....and WHY! For me....my mentor taught me to love all the ugly ones (LOL) but then again....your ugly Petosky stones would make perfect bases for my gem trees! As well as some of the others you walk past on the beaches there where you are.....the colors would match up with some of the semi precious stones I would use to make the trees! Right now I can't make my gem trees so I would not be looking to collect any more bases.....but there was a time when I had SO many "ugly" rocks (meaning not good for hand pieces or jewelry) that I had to start dumping huge containers out along the tree line where I live.......they'll make pretty rocks gardens....people around here have already started to find them and use them for their little rock gardens......makes me happy they're finding new homes.......not sure I'll ever be able to get back to what I was doing before! Thank you for the lesson tho!!!!! : )

[@MichiganRocks]

I can appreciate all rocks, but I’d rather spend my time polishing really nice ones. I’m glad people are finding and appreciating your rejects. That’s fun!

[@1jlynnp]

educational, Thank you. I live few houses off lake Huron and I find at least 30 plus a day, so your video will help.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad to help. It took me a while to learn that not all Petoskeys should be brought home.

[@manisteerocks7092]

This is an excellent video for the beginner Petoskey hunter. I wish I had seen this video 5 yes ago..I guess I learned the hard way..but to anyone hunting the Petoskey stone, this video is extremely informative.. you'll save alot of time,and back ache, but following his expert advice

[@MichiganRocks]

I wish I had seen it when I first started too!

[@manisteerocks7092]

@@MichiganRocks I have buckets full of wanna bes,..too many to count..my best guess is maybe 10% of what you find is a keeper,the rest are leaverites..

[@MichiganRocks]

@@manisteerocks7092 I'm probably picking less than 10% at this point. But 10% are something that would turn out halfway decent.

[@manisteerocks7092]

@@MichiganRocks i agree

Perfect stones my dear. Great video.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thank you.

[@spaceoddity8292]

All are beautifull!!!! Cariños desde Argentina y gracias !!!

[@MarvelMike71]

Sorry Rob I deleted my Facebook a few years back due to all the unwanted content and my life has been happier. If there is another way let me know. My fiancé Kristin did the polishing and she does an amazing job. Just would like to share them with you. Thanks again.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'll just imagine a perfectly polished Petoskey stone. I'm sure it's great. I have seen some really nice ones.

[@ritadonovan6606]

I like the differences in the rocks with the circles on then. Unless their blank, I still love the different art of them. 👍☺️🇨🇦

[@Soul-Nate]

Great video. It's a really pretty stone. Don't think we have anything like this here in NZ. Thanks for sharing!

[@MichiganRocks]

I'd love to visit New Zealand. It looks like a beautiful place. You might not have Petoskey Stones, but do you have other cool rocks?

[@TinaHyde]

Ok NOW I get it!! Thank you so much for making this video! I will no longer cringe every time you throw one back! 👍🏼

[@MichiganRocks]

That was exactly what I was trying to do! I'm glad this video helped.

[@sunqwest1]

We call the ones left behind " Leaverite" leave er right there

[@MichiganRocks]

Yep, lots of people do.

[@dancrites453]

Working my way through all of your videos... This was very informative. Thanks.

[@MichiganRocks]

Good, that was my goal.

[@dancrites453]

@@MichiganRocks Rob, is it possible to use your "recipes" for rotary tumbling and vibratory tumbling, with all of the various grits and media, to get a Petoskey stone to look the same way it does after rotary @ 80 & 220, handsanding with 320/400/600/1000/1500 and finishing with Zam on a felt wheel? I am growing weary of all of the hand sanding. Thanks in advance.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@dancrites453 I can get them close, but not exactly the same. Actually, they come out shinier, but sometimes flaws in the rock show up more. It's a tricky process and I'm not always successful with it. A friend and I worked together to perfect the recipe to the point it is now. We agreed not to share it with anyone for now, so you'll have to experiment on your own. I might talk to him about letting others in on our secret recipe eventually.

[@dancrites453]

@@MichiganRocks Rob, thanks. Tell him I wouldn't tell a soul... ;)

[@My_Op]

It's a good logical theory.

[@MichiganRocks]

Not necessarily true, but it makes sense to me.

[@My_Op]

@@MichiganRocks To me too. But it's a theory.

[@Pegasus1731]

Great video, thank you!

[@OurPetss.]

I'm in Northern California, I mostly find agates at the beach. Isn't is fun to find beautiful rocks.

[@MichiganRocks]

It sure is!

[@jkru5114]

I guess I'm a rock snob also. I think when you first get into looking for Petoskey's you keep almost all the ones you find. At least I did. Lol. Now I'm pretty selective like you. I call the ones that are not whole Petoskey's, partials!. Lol don't keep them. Usually. I think you did an amazing job explaining what to look for in a good Petoskey. I have the same way of looking at them and "grading" them. Lol. I was wondering if you've ever found a pink Petoskey? I have found a few that were half pink. Not a full one yet. 😁 Keep up the good work sir. Your amazing teacher!

[@MichiganRocks]

I think most people probably go through the same stages. It's the people who collect and never polish that probably learn the slowest. Then again, if they never polish them, they won't know the difference so they'll still be happy. I have found a couple Petoskeys that were slightly pink, but not usually good quality in some other way. I don't know if they're found on both sides of the state. I almost always hunt in Lake Huron. Do you know if the pink ones can be found on the east side of the state?

[@jkru5114]

I'm the opposite of you , I rarely get to the Huron side. Yes, I know people that have found quit a few pink Pets, as they call them, haha. I found on that had a dark purple hue. Just a strip though. I'm in the same boat as you though , mostly of the ones I've found have been of less quality. It's my quest to find a full pink pet 😂

[@MichiganRocks]

@@jkru5114 Good luck on your quest for pink.

[@beckyjo8745]

Appreciate your information!!!! Thanks!

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome.

[@sharonbaxter9233]

wow lots of good information. hope i will get to look for these one day.

[@jpaul080710]

Awesome video

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@tiffanyobetts4197]

Great video, I’ve watched it twice now as a newbie. I did laugh at many of your “poor” examples because you’d say how it’s still a cool rock. I feel the same with the partials I find with the crinoids on them. I’ve learned a lot from you thank you! Go green ;)

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad you're finding them useful. Now if I could just teach you to have good taste in colleges. Go blue!

[@victorluc66]

That quarry rock looks to be from Rockport. Those don’t polish well as you mentioned. However, hexagonaria from the Petoskey area quarries polish up awesome! Most of my best ones are from quarries not far from Petoskey.

[@MichiganRocks]

That's interesting. I didn't know how they were on the other side of the state. I tried a few from Rockport early on and I don't waste my time with them anymore. Even most of the ones on the beach there aren't very good quality.

[@victorluc66]

Michigan Rocks - yep. They look nice in the rock garden or landscape. I have a colony about 16” across and 6” tall sitting in the mulch. Looks great natural unpolished. The ones from the Petoskey are were fossilized with slightly different minerals giving them the much better color.

[@victorluc66]

Michigan Rocks - oh, by the way... love your videos! Look up Paleo Joe. Famous Michigan paleontologist. He’s a friend of mine. I supply him with wholesale polished Petoskey stones for his rock / gem / fossil / mineral shows in the state. He absolutely insists, “if it’s not polished, it’s not a Petoskey stone.” I’m not total sure I agree with that but that’s his logic. I guess you could possibly get a polishable hex from the east side of the state. But the percent on the nw side of the mitt is much much higher. I’m hoping to get to the UP for some agate hunting this summer. I’m way down in SE MI near Toledo. It’s a long drive!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@victorluc66 I have noticed the cells have a little different look to them. I think they're a slightly different species. I have a video with Joe in it. I ran into him in Rockport Quarry. There are plenty of really good Petoskeys over here, just not at Rockport. They polish great.

[@soul_adventurist]

Thanks for going through your thought process and reasons for why you choose the rocks you choose! It makes total sense when you lay it all out like that. One question though, when you make the turtles, does the back really matter? I wish I understood enough to know how those fossils just kinda merge into each other. I find those so amazing 🤩

[@MichiganRocks]

Do you mean the back, as in the turtle shell? If so, it matters a lot. A nice pattern is a lot better than a bad one. It's the part that shows the most. I also think the bottom, green part matters a lot too. Even though not much shows on the top, you can see the whole bottom if you pick it up and turn it over. I'm still trying to figure out what you mean, and I just decided that maybe you mean the part of the Petoskey stone that is glued to the bottom, green rock. That part doesn't matter at all since no one will ever see it. I actually scratch up that surface so that the epoxy grabs onto it better.

[@soul_adventurist]

@@MichiganRocks lol sorry, I actually did mean the part you glue to the bottoms but now that I think about it, it’s a bad question. I’m sure whatever made me ask that question made sense at the time i was thinking about. Been a long week, sorry. When I said the back part, I meant the backside of the rock itself, not the turtle. Ok, I’ll shut up now. Have a good night😂

[@MichiganRocks]

@@soul_adventurist As long as you've got it all figured out, that's all that matters!

[@jeannieschannel1107]

I think they are all beautiful. Keep em coming and you’ll always get a like from me! 😃

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@debzyj376]

Thank you....Enjoyed . Good teachings and a good eye !

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@patriciawilliams4314]

They are so pretty. Thanks

[@MichiganRocks]

You’re welcome!

[@paulcarder8032]

Great teaching video Rob! Would some of those sub par Petoskeys look any better sliced?

[@MichiganRocks]

No, they're usually bad all the way through. Sometimes a slabbed rock will be better toward the top and get worse as you go toward the bottom.

[@aydamercado6798]

Excellent class!!! Thank you!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

You’re welcome!

[@mialmafine9250]

Very nicely presented

[@MichiganRocks]

Thank you.

[@joannclupper7902]

Thank you. You teach well.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad you're learning something!

[@georgemiller3697]

You are GREAT at polishing. Do you have a video about how to get a great shiny stone?

[@MichiganRocks]

I have several. These are my favorites in order from my most preferred method to my least preferred method: Rotary tumbler followed by vibratory tumbler: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaTVnqOGj9d0q7c Rotary tumbler with ceramics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moqqd5SiZcpkjbs Rotary tumbler with plastic pellets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5-xp6ytrN-nqJo Here's how you can tumble Petoskey Stones: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naO2nY1uaJqJetE Here's a way to do Petoskeys by hand with no tumbler: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZusnoGorLdsd9U

[@timclark3821]

Very informative, really enjoyed the video

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you liked it!

[@dancrites453]

Great video. You will save people from themselves with this one. :) Thanks...

[@MichiganRocks]

I hope so!

[@Smallathe]

VERY cool video. Thank you!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you liked it!

[@jkru5114]

Who gave this a thumbs down? Rediculous..

[@MichiganRocks]

I always get a few. I don't lose any sleep over it. I have a video with over a million views. I get lots of thumbs down on that one because I threw the bad rocks into the lake. People seem to think that they're gone forever or that I was hiding them so no one else could get them. That has, by far, the highest percentage of thumbs down and it gets way, way more views. So the thumbs down votes don't bother me at all.

[@danielledeboer7714]

Hi! I am from Saskatchewan, Canada and we found one of these Stones in our cow pasture!! One side looks like a curled up shrimp! I wondered if u I could send you a picture of it??

[@MichiganRocks]

You could post one on Facebook. I'm over there too. I'm Michigan Rocks Rob there.

[@bluejay3333]

Thanks, learned a lot!

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad to hear it!

[@icatz]

Very nice info and awesome polishing. I was going thru my rockhounding finds over the last 30 years and found a Petoskey stone. In the 6000' elevation of northern Arizona, where I find fossils from 350-400 mya. I was confused. I thought it was a great lakes fossil.

[@victorluc66]

icatz - hexagonaria are found in many places including AZ, Morocco, China, but the best are in northern Michigan in the “Traverse Formation”. If they aren’t from the Petoskey are they are simply hexagonaria.

[@icatz]

@@victorluc66 Cool. Mine looks exactly like the ones in the video but unpolished. When I collected it I didn't know Petoskey from Peter Rabbit. Thanks.

[@MichiganRocks]

I knew there were look alike fossilized corals in other places, but I didn't know they were hexagonaria. I don't think they have to be from the Petoskey area to be considered Petoskey stones though. Most or all of the ones in this video are from Lake Huron.

[@icatz]

@@MichiganRocks Surprised me too. I was in the mountains, I've done a lot of collecting up there. I wish I could post a picture of that stone for you.

[@victorluc66]

Michigan Rocks - can you have a Burmese ruby from Africa? Just sayin’ 🤔

[@jessicawhited3067]

Could u please tell me what city in Michigan and what beach?my dream is to find just 1 beautiful stone!!!bucket list

[@MichiganRocks]

Petoskey stones are pretty plentiful in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Petoskey stones are found south of a line from about Harbor Springs to Rogers City. I was hunting in Lake Michigan a couple times this summer. I found Petoskey stones at the following beaches: Christmas Cove, Peterson Park, Van's Beach, Norwood Park (I went about a mile north of the park in my kayak), Antrim Creek Natural Area, and Barnes Park. All of these locations have a lot of people visiting them, so you have to walk far from the parking lots to find rocks. The farther you walk, the better chance you'll have. In Lake Huron, I have found Petoskeys at: Harrisville State Park, Sturgeon Point Light House, Negwegon State Park (you have to go a mile or two north by kayak to find rocks here), and Rockport State Park. There are tons of Petoskeys in the quarry at Rockport, but they're not like the smooth beach rocks and they don't polish up very well in my experience. The rocks on the beach there are not great quality either.

[@ruthsawyer3357]

I very much enjoyed watching, interesting indeed.

[@MichiganRocks]

I was pretty happy with this video. Sometimes I wonder if my videos are going to disappoint people, but I really wish I had seen a video like this when I first started.

[@bradblazoff5607]

Have you ever used any product to fill in a hole or crack? If so, what do you recommend? I'm trying to decide whether to polish, or first fill, then polish by hand, a couple of Petoskeys I found with my girls in a creek last year. Great video, by the way. Whenever I go to Northern Michigan I snatch up all the Petoskey stones I can. Then I'll give them to any little kids, that show any interest. Most kids are fascinated by these ancient relics.

[@MichiganRocks]

Nope, I usually break rocks along cracks to eliminate them. That or I just live with the crack. You could go over to the Rock Tumbling Hobby forums and ask that question. Someone there could probably help you. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com

[@bradblazoff5607]

Thanks for the quick teply

[@samuelfiore7949]

This may be an old video but thanks for all that info, as for being a snob, where would we be without the knowledge of perfection?

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome. Hopefully this one doesn't age too badly. Petoskey Stones haven't changed much since I made it.

[@cvx2dog549]

I’m going to have to be pickier!

[@MichiganRocks]

You don't have to be. You can take home whatever you like!

[@lovely.]

Those white petoskey stones are what I call 'angel petoskey', I actually really like the look of them if you can find one to polish up nicely. Their white/calcite yellow-ish look reminded me of popular depictions of angels adorned in white robes and gold.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have tried to tumble them, but have had very little luck. They seem to always have areas with holes throughout the rock. I did finish one up earlier this summer and part of it looked okay, but one part still had some spots. I also slabbed one that has some promising areas that I might make a cab out of. I have found lots of them in Lake Huron. I wonder if the quality is any better in Lake Michigan.

[@lovely.]

@@MichiganRocks I've only ever found them in Huron, but I wasn't really actively looking for them when I was up in Lake Michigan. I had someone tell me they were petoskey stones composed entirely of calcite instead of straight up limestone.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@lovely. I don't think that's right. Calcite is really soft and the white ones are very hard. I tumbled that one with other hard rocks and had no problem. I'd say it's 6 or 7 on the Mohs scale just from how it tumbled.

[@lovely.]

@@MichiganRocks I'd say what I found and what you showed are different then! I was able to easily scratch mine with a knife, while yours seem much harder. Very interesting.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@lovely. that is interesting. I wonder what you found. I find light colored ones, but not white ones other than this hard kind.

[@EnergizeVitalize]

Do you return the rejects ? Tumble bumble .... 🤔 Still pretty though

[@MichiganRocks]

No I don't, but maybe I should. I should leave them way up on the beach so the lake doesn't unpolished them. Then someone walking along would wonder how that one rock got so shiny.

[@1sec2midnight]

Hello MR, I credit you for introducing me to a Petoskey stone. I just polished my first one by hand and I love it. It's brownish in color and there is some other type of rock mixed in it at one end, so the whole thing is not Petoskey, and the white lines are faint. Now I know what to look for in a good one. So you do tumble them? Thanks so much.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes I do, I even made a video about it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/naO2nY1uaJqJetE

[@ramdisk00]

Thanks for the video. What did you finish the rocks with? Looks more then sanding

[@MichiganRocks]

Aluminum oxide or Zam. Both work well. Aluminum oxide can be used by hand by putting it on a piece of denim with a little water and rubbing it on the rock. Zam requires some sort of buffing wheel. I use a felt wheel on a Dremel. Here are a few videos on how to polish Petoskey stones: How to Hand Polish a Petoskey Stone: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZusnoGorLdsd9U How to Partially Tumble a Petoskey Stone: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3O1omqahaljgs0 Petoskey Stones in Corn Cob Media: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naO2nY1uaJqJetE Polishing Petoskeys on a cabbing machine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIi5mpeNqp5_j7s

[@newyorkrockheads8995]

Gotta get a Petosky stone in my collection....But really I just want to walk on Lake Huron and actually see all those colorful rocks.

[@MichiganRocks]

It's always better to pick them yourself if you can. We really do have some beautiful beaches here.

[@thiah1951]

You could drill the first one you showed (with the tiny holes) and cut a slab out of it for a very nice pendant.

[@MichiganRocks]

It would, but once they're all polished up, it's so hard to cut them!

[@notinmanitou]

Rob, have you ever tried the acid soaking with Petoskey stones like you did the chain coral? I wonder if those harder ones have been partially replaced with quartz?

[@MichiganRocks]

A lot of people recommend soaking Petoskeys in vinegar before sanding, so I tried that once. I thought it was a bad idea, and my trial confirmed that. It makes the whole surface much more rough. The vinegar eroded the whole surface pretty evenly, so there was no cool effect like with chain coral.

[@nonameneeded9267]

Hi! Why don't you try to "digest" (process) petoskey stone with acid (like you did with the chain coral)? I'm having this idea cause the porous petoskey specimens you showed seem like they've lost over time some matrix rock (probabky limestone) and what is left is only those thin fossilized coral fibers (see example at 9:39 in your video). So maybe an acid bath would leave you with a cool lace-like fossilized structure. It's worth a try, since you are not going to polish them anyway 😅

[@MichiganRocks]

There are actually a lot of people who soak their Petoskey stones in vinegar before hand polishing. I have never done this and see no reason to. From what I've seen, it dissolves a thin layer of rock from the outside. I think it's probably more helpful if there is a layer of algae or some other crud on the outside. I think it probably releases that by dissolving the rock that it's adhered to. My rocks come out of the lake clean, so there's not a good reason to dissolve part of the rock. Anyhow, my point is that when people do this, it doesn't leave the rock with little holes all over. I think it just dissolves it uniformly. I do want to try it though just so I'm more informed.

[@thirstfast1025]

7:45 I call that "dog boning". Sometimes I get it when I tumble bigger pieces of quartz.

[@MichiganRocks]

Is that a term you made up or is that what everyone calls it? I have never heard that before.

[@thirstfast1025]

@@MichiganRocks Hahaha, I thought I came up with it, but it doesn't surprise me that others have.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@thirstfast1025 I didn't say that you didn't come up with it. I just asked if you did.

[@thirstfast1025]

@@MichiganRocks Hahaha! Sorry! I misread it! Yeah, I came up with it because the piece I was tumbling was more or less rectangular to start, but ended up way thinner in the middle. I just figured it looked like a bone a dog in a cartoon would be chewing on.

[@billtunger]

That gloss or gorgeous! What do you use for the polishing compound? I’ve tried diamond paste and Zam... tho Zam seems to do a better job.

[@MichiganRocks]

I use either Zam or aluminum oxide polish.

[@kmaddux9]

That one where it's kind of white in the middle reminds me of a starburst it's beautiful I think!! I'm a rock freak!! And I have quite the collection...i even know where and when I found them! Wierd I'm sure!! I even have a petrified wood wall.....lol. Peace

[@MichiganRocks]

I know where I found quite a few of mine too. Some make an impression.

[@eng12b3p]

Do you sell Petoskey on ebay? My wife and I would love to try to tumble some. Thanks for all the great videos!!

[@MichiganRocks]

No, sorry I don't sell anything online.

[@MarvelMike71]

Do you ever use vinegar to help clean up rock and help pattern on Rick?

[@MichiganRocks]

Nope. The acid in vinegar just dissolves it. I see no reason at all to do that.

[@patriciamckean4186]

I love the definition between the eyes with the white lines. Dislike brown eyes. Keep trying to get them out.

[@MichiganRocks]

Those muddy dead eyes are frustrating. They don't usually grind out in my experience.

[@roberthill8817]

Hey dude I remove rocks off of flat roofs. Most have been sitting up there for 30 years or more. Some roofs I can easily fill a gallon bucket everyday with Petoskeys and other coral. The ones I get are pitted from sand and wind, not as smooth as the ones you find on a beach. Would a tumbler clean those up or just sand away the markings?

[@MichiganRocks]

The tumbler is going to take a layer or multiple layers off the entire surface of the rock. As long as the pits aren't too deep, I think tumbling would do the trick. Just fill your barrel with rocks and a small amount of coarse grit. I only use a tablespoon in a six pound barrel. Add more water than usual, over the top of the rocks. Then let it run for 3-4 days before you do a clean out. You should know after a run or two if it's going to work.

[@roberthill8817]

Thanks. I've been hesitant to buy a tumbler in fear it would just wash away the markings. I've been working on filling a small flower garden with these stones. I have such a unique job to find these at work. Im on a 640 square section of roof right now and its 2 rock high spread out over the entire roof and fossils gallour. Most of the time if I find one I can stand in the same area and find 3 more. Most roofs I'm lucky to get 5 every 2 hours and not a gallon bucket full/day.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@roberthill8817 I'd suggest a Lortone 33B for a good small tumbler. The Rock Shed usually has the best prices.

[@jimknarr]

During one of your videos, I think you mentioned that there are different varieties of Petoskey stones. How many different varieties of Petoskey stones do you have? If you have several different kinds, it would be very interesting to see the different kinds you have found and what are some identifying features that make them different. Thanks!

[@MichiganRocks]

Hey Jim. I couldn't tell you how many varieties I have. I don't really know how to identify them. It has to do with the diameter of corallites (the little hexagons) and the number of septa (the radial lines). I have never taken the time to measure and count. I do know that one species from Lake Michigan looks slightly different than what I find in Lake Huron. Here's a chart of the different measurements: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagonaria

[@MichiganRocks]

I forgot to mention that there's one named after Alpena, where I live. Hexagonaria alpenensis

[@ridgerunner66]

Great video. I'm like you, I would rather have quality over quantity. Thanks for sharing. Davin

[@MichiganRocks]

You’re welcome!

[@MarvelMike71]

Okay I did notice that if I clean dull petoskey stones that it brought out the white lines that were vary faint. Thanks

[@MichiganRocks]

The ones from Lake Michigan seem to change more from rough to polished sometimes. Most of the ones from this video were from Lake Huron.

[@thirstfast1025]

Sensible practice!

[@Vkat1976]

Are the “pits” & small holes caused by a “creature” or bacteria?? Or are they formed by water??

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't know. I always figured they were just part of the formation of the fossil.

[@paleocat6354]

The ones that are of lesser quality would be great for gifts for kids. It could change a young minds life

[@MichiganRocks]

I can find enough good ones that I can give kids higher quality Petoskeys too.

[@paleocat6354]

@@MichiganRocks rob is your website or your eBay account in your channel profile? I'd love to purchase some. I attended CMU one year. Don't know when il be back to get my own Petoskeys

[@MichiganRocks]

@@paleocat6354 I don't have a website and I don't sell anything online. I don't sell plain rocks at all. I have a few things for sale at a local shop called "Olivet Book & Gift".They don't have an online store, but Mary will email pictures and mail things out. I have little Petoskey turtles, some heart shaped pendants, beads that fit Pandora bracelets, and guitar picks for sale there. olivetbookandgift.com

[@sueborrego]

Are the polished rocks in this video by hand or tumbler?

[@MichiganRocks]

There are some of each.

[@mary-anneswanson9931]

I don't get upset that you don't bring all the rocks I like home ..I'm disappointed I can'T grab them and bring them home lol. I see why some of the stones I like would not work for tumbling or would not show well when tumbled. ........still doesn't mean I(being so not qualified to know good from bad) wouldn't grab them lol Thank you for showing us the rocks even if you leave them :)

[@MichiganRocks]

I think there are a lot of people who feel exactly the same way you do. I wish everyone could have a good spot to find fun rocks.

[@russsherwood5978]

i have found both kinds of petosky stone, do you think that if you slabed those querry stone then coated them with poly resin that would work to shine them?i have done this with other soft rock

[@MichiganRocks]

I never coat my rocks with anything. I just my preference to keep them natural (except all the unnatural cutting and sanding). I'm sure that coating them would make them shiny though. With the quarry rock, it wasn't just a matter of making them shiny. The Petoskey pattern disappears when I grind them. The pattern seems to only be in the three dimensional shape, but doesn't extend beneath that. Someone here said that quarry rocks on the west side of the state don't have the same problem. So it seems to depend where you get your rocks. I'd say give it a try and see what happens.

[@russsherwood5978]

@@MichiganRocks i use the resin as a time saver/ in art with rocks most people would throw away when done cutting, if i have time to do the job right i work through all the grits down to 4000 grit

[@MichiganRocks]

@@russsherwood5978 I don't have a problem with someone using resin. It's nice that you're able to save some otherwise useless rocks. I just don't have any experience with it myself. The only think I've done like that is when I poured epoxy on a desk top I made for my son's room.

[@احمد-ش9ع5ط]

👍😍

[@kaileylawrence4960]

Is it true you can use a car polishing compound to polish these?

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't know. I've never tried it. It doesn't sound like a completely crazy idea.

[@MisterTee2010]

Nice hair LOL Great video as always though.

[@MichiganRocks]

I can’t always have a good hair day!

[@MisterTee2010]

@@MichiganRocks Hey. I think that if you took that larger unlikable Petosky Stone and cross cut it. It may have some potential.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@MisterTee2010 If you mean the one that's polished and nice around the edges, you might be right. Now that it's all polished, I think I'll leave it alone though. I have others that I can slab.

[@Julianne_Taylor]

What do you use to slice your petoskey stones?

[@MichiganRocks]

I use a rock saw. I have several saws, but they’re all old and not being made anymore. Some people use tile saws to do this, but they tend to get you wet, so they’re best used outside. Here’s a tour of my shop so you can see some of my equipment. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZzKpZRnd7GCobs

[@lastanetaarion]

Hey, really? Are there people complaining that you don't bring every rock, you stumble upon, back home?! Lol, hahaha... You pick what you like, that should be answer enough. Can't understand people who don't understand that *:D....

[@MichiganRocks]

They're not really complaining, it's more like they can't believe that I could leave them behind.

[@lastanetaarion]

@@MichiganRocks haha, hope this great video will help them understand it a bit more ;).

[@222foont]

Is it coral?

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, fossilized 350 million year old coral from the Devonian period. The scientific name is hexagonaria.

[@qaharhasan4994]

What name this chemosynthesis that you used?

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't know what you mean. Sorry.

[@smithdog4770]

Great video and it looks like a super nice machine. Is there any chance you would be interested in selling your old machine to me, I'm local enough to come pick it up or meet you someplace. Thanks in advance and thanks for the great videos.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have had quite a few other requests for my old machine already. It might be moving across the road, which is about as local as you can get. Sorry.

[@smithdog4770]

@@MichiganRocks Glad It's got a home and thanks for letting me know.

[@kmaddux9]

Do u sell them?? Just curious...

[@MichiganRocks]

Nope, sorry.

[@priyapondicherry6221]

I think you should give the damaged ones as give aways to the ones who like the video 😝. You really have very good content, may be give aways will increase views, likes are subscribers 🙂

[@MichiganRocks]

I've noticed that give away videos on other people's channels usually get pretty low views. I would really like to do some of them, but there are all sorts of laws that basically require hiring a lawyer to do them legally. I know that no one enforces those laws and hardly anyone follows them, but it just makes me nervous. I do give away a lot of polished rocks, just not online.

[@suzettecalleja3122]

instead of calling them dead eyes they look like they have Cataracts

[@MichiganRocks]

Haha!

[@الريانلأعمالديكوراتالرخاموالجر]

Nice

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@timobrien1030]

Do you ever tumble and polish rocks and then put them back on the beach for others to find? That would be nice of ya lol

[@MichiganRocks]

That’s a fun idea, but one storm would beat them up and bury them. When I am out rock hunting, I usually carry some tumbled rocks to give to people I meet.

[@timobrien1030]

That’s nice of you. I’m down here near Kalamazoo. My folks use to look for them years ago. I’m thinking of retiring this year, because of Covid, and I plan on heading north to look for some. I figure that’d be a good hobby and still social distance. Is Petoskey a good place to start? Stay safe brother.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@timobrien1030 Anywhere in northern Lake Michigan or Lake Huron is good. Not all beaches have them but many do. The key is to get away from where all the people are. If you go to a public beach, plan to walk at least a mile away from the parking lot before you get into good ones. Better yet, bring a kayak and go even farther. Be careful that you're not in a national park when you're collecting, like the Sleeping Bear Dunes for example. There is a line where the Petoskey Stones stop. I'm not sure exactly where it is, but somewhere around Harbor Springs to Rogers City. North of there, you won't find any.

[@timobrien1030]

Wow that is really helpful. Thank you! I’m sure you saved me a ton of time😁