Will Yooperlites Still Glow after Polishing?

[@mohamadanwar4209]

At 8:45 you questioned why syenite samples differ greatly among themselves. There is a continuum between granite and syenite where granite has a lot of quartz. Once quartz percentage (by volume) drops to 20%, the rock changes name from granite to quartz syenite. When quartz reaches as low as 5% or less by volume, rock's name changes again to syenite. This means that most rocks that the average person will call syenite, geochemist will call them quartz syenite. Only few samples of yooperlite in the market are actual syenite. Rather, they are quartz syenite (from 20% down to 5% by volume of the total volume of the rock). One other noteworthy thing is the prominence of alkaline feldspars (orthoclase "pinkish red" & sodalite "dark blue/bluish black") as opposed to plagioclase "white" in syenite and quartz syenite. Thank you

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks for that explanation, Mohamad. I appreciate you taking the time to teach me and the other viewers something.

[@mohamadanwar4209]

@@MichiganRocks I love your channel, and I wish I can one day scout the great lakes shoreline like you and collect samples. I live in Saint Paul, MN, and I did several runs at lake superior in Duluth and the north shore. Yet, most shores I visited have been thoroughly combed by collectors and rockhounds....There isn't really anything left to collect there. Your show provides me with a golden opportunity to see and investigate pristine shores. Thank you

[@MichiganRocks]

@@mohamadanwar4209 Getting away from the crowds is the key to finding good rocks.

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

Thank you for this great information.

[@reddirtwarriors4846]

@@MichiganRocks As well as taking some risks for the more sketchy areas that the average person is not willing to explore.

[@frankierzucekjr]

Wow, these are gorgeous. Some of the prettiest rocks I've ever seen. Such a shame they don't light up without the UV light. I wonder how they were made over the years. Definitely made me think of space or burning embers in a fire. Thanks for sharing

[@MichiganRocks]

I sliced some of these up and my son in law cut them into space themed fridge magnets. They turned out really nice.

[@frankierzucekjr]

@@MichiganRocks that does sound cool. I bet they're even cooler looking inside

[@amusedBYfools]

Why is that a shame? It's like a secret. I love it.

[@jshilohshea381]

Looks like polishing helped them shine brighter ! Great collection ! Thanks so much for showing us ! Stay safe stay healthy stay happy ! GO BLUE !

[@MichiganRocks]

I think it was more that my video at the beginning was pretty poor quality. For some reason, I didn't take close up video like I usually do.

[@jshilohshea381]

@@MichiganRocks plus the background lighting obscured what the uv light was shining on ...but they still were pretty !

[@salishseaquest7952]

Wow! I agree with you on the constellation rock. Those look amazing before and after.

[@MichiganRocks]

I really didn't think I'd get that excited about these, but they're really fun.

[@kimfrommn7162]

Beautiful Rocks!!! Thanks for sharing the three steps, finding the rocks, polishing the rocks, and then cutting layers in the rocks!! I am excited to see what you make out of those cut pieces of this neat rock!! Thanks for sharing!!! 😊

[@tonywild1963]

Those yooperlites look amazing polished and the way they glow. Love the constellation patterns with the unusual blue specks in them. Beautiful rocks Rob.

[@MichiganRocks]

Unfortunately, the blue specks are just dust. They wipe right off, but there's plenty of dust in my shop.

[@ShOxCooking]

“Might not give it back to em” I love that line it does look epic

[@koolaidblack7697]

I know nothing about rocks really, but wow that banded iron stuff looks beautiful. This is a weird question I realize but, do you think if a person made knife grips/scales out of that stuff, it would hold up to any use? It's so striking that I immediately wanted to incorporate it into some daily items for decoration.

[@MichiganRocks]

I think banded iron formation varies quite a bit. Some tumbles really well and others is pretty soft. It's not the hardest stuff out there. If you got a good, solid piece it would probably hold up ok.

[@g.todsmith2854]

Cool! Never heard of a yooperlite before!

[@profesraelise]

Awesome, how cool! They look like hot pieces of magma!

[@MichiganRocks]

They sure do. They look a lot like a glowing ember in a fire too.

[@laurelshugars2866]

You're so cool. I do so appreciate your passion for rocks. We are fortunate to have you as a Michigan Rockhounder Guy!

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm fortunate to be a Michigan rockhound! I love living here.

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

"Fortunate"'--yes we are!

[@MyPhoenix62]

Wow!! Totally enhanced!!! Nice.to know they wont lose their mysterious nightglow so freaking cool!!

[@amyheath9955]

Constellations! YES!! Gorgeous!

[@lynettepavelich7540]

Very cool! From this perspective, they seem to have a 3-D look! Gonna have to get a light and go hunting! Thx

[@MichiganRocks]

Do some research and get a decent light. I have a $10 light that doesn't make them look all that great. My $70 light makes all the difference. It's a Convoy S2 with a filter on it.

[@AsaTrenchard1865]

Local tip: Rockport and Sturgeon Point (both in NE Michigan, along the Lake Huron shore) are incredibly prime free-access rock-hounding locations. Bring a bucket, see ya there!

[@lynettepavelich7540]

@ thank you! I’m not far from Sturgeon Point! Will check them both out!🥰

[@patriciawilliams4314]

I love those, the one that looks like constellations is beautiful. Thanks again sir.

[@MichiganRocks]

You're being pretty formal with the "sir" language. I do like all the patterns in the sodalite. It's fun that you can't tell what it's going to look like until you light it up.

[@bekahw8704]

The world of rocks is absolutely amazing. Thanks for showing us a piece of it.

[@MichiganRocks]

You’re welcome!

[@jtcowboy5518]

Amazing! Now I have another type of rocks to look for when I go to the great lakes, besides Petoskey stones. Some of those rocks have blue specks along with the orange. So gorgeous!

[@MichiganRocks]

The blue specks are dust. These mostly occur in Lake Superior, although I've heard they can be found in the other lakes too. I looked twice in Lake Huron with no luck.

[@storytimewithunclebill1998]

They came out really nice. All of it looked great. Really cool how the rocks glowed. Was fun to watch. Great video

[@reddirtwarriors4846]

That last yooperlite reminds me of a satellite view of a city. My wife and I have been hunting yooperlite for about 3 months and have found about 60 lbs. Super fun to hunt. But the best part is that I am learning about all the different types of stones at the lake.

[@MichiganRocks]

What do you do with all of them? I brought a few home the first time, but now I leave most of them on the beach.

[@reddirtwarriors4846]

@@MichiganRocks Great question! I really want to make a couple of bookends with 2 of the larger ones I have. Some of my favorite ones are part of a display I am making. It's a display that sits on my in-wall bookshelf. The others are either sitting around waiting for friends to visit while some of them I throw onto the beach when I see newcomers hunting and they clearly are not finding any. I learned this from a guy a few months ago and thought it would be nice to do the same thing. My favorite stones entice me almost every few nights to sit and stare at them. But part of the excitement is simply walking the beach and wondering what's watching me! There are lots of wolves around the Little Girls Point area.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@reddirtwarriors4846 Sounds like you've figured out more things to do with them than I have. I have also thrown them around closer to campgrounds after hauling them back from farther away. I like thinking about other people having the thrill of finding them.

[@dg-1980]

I do like the speckled/splattered ones better then the ones that are mostly orange.. Beautiful!!! Thanx for sharing

[@MichiganRocks]

The really orange ones are fun to find on the beach because they show up better, but the ones with more a pattern, rather than solid color are just more interesting.

[@stephanierocks8503]

I love rocks that do tricks!! We have agates that flourese green (some brighter than others).

[@MichiganRocks]

That's cool. What kind of agates?

[@stephanierocks8503]

@@MichiganRocks they are a faintly yellow kind. Light banding. Wish I could post a picture for you!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@stephanierocks8503 You can always post a picture somewhere else and put a link here.

[@stephanierocks8503]

@Michigan Rocks ok! Come check out these fluorescing agates! Watch "Agates that Fluoresce!" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5imgYOIeLynmZY

[@davidhile5363]

Well now we know !!!!! I could see some blue specks on a lot of those I don’t know if you could see them or not. Thank you for the demonstration !!!

[@MichiganRocks]

The blue specks are dust. They brush off.

[@davidhile5363]

@@MichiganRocks I thought that might be the case. Black Friday is a good day to hunt rocks !!! To me they kind of remind me of pictures of the sun that reveals the sun spots.

[@beatfarmerfan]

They turned out great! The last one also looks like it could have been a night shot of the U.S. shot from the ISS.

[@MichiganRocks]

I guess I had it backwards, I was thinking of looking up at the sky, not down from the sky.

[@aliencat11]

That is exactly what it looks like!

[@beatfarmerfan]

@@MichiganRocks looking up, or looking down, it’s a heck of a picture. 👍

[@wyomingadventures]

Your crosses and guitar picks are beautiful! Love the yooperlite rocks. I ordered one online last week. Michigan has cool rocks!

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, we're blessed with quite a variety of rocks. Do you have a decent U.V. light to make your Yooperlite look its best? I have a cheap U.V. light and it lights them up, but not nearly as well as my good light. I have a Convoy S2 with a special filter.

[@wyomingadventures]

@@MichiganRocks no I don't have a light yet. Thank you for telling me what is a good one to get. Appreciate it!

[@robertflowers6621]

@@wyomingadventures There are several good brands of UV flashlights, including the Convoy, I have a Convoy S2 pocket-sized light (I spent $33 for mine) and plan on upgrading to something more powerful very soon. The MOST important thing when shopping for a uv light is that you buy a 365nm light, NOT a 390 or 395 nm. Those $10 uv flashlights in your local hardware store barely illuminate the yooperlite stones.

[@wyomingadventures]

@@robertflowers6621 thank you Robert!

[@Absolution55]

It looks like the earth at night from a satellite view with all the lights around the globe and I agree that one looked like a constellation, thank you for sharing!

[@MichiganRocks]

Several people pointed out that it looks like Earth at night, and I agree. I just sliced two of these up the other day, including the last really cool one.

[@UABFWSS]

Nice. I tumble polish them often, most all take an excellent shine and some appear to glow a bit better after too, maybe more contrast or something. Another batch should be done in the next week. Would be neat to slice some for pendants, maybe.

[@MichiganRocks]

I didn't notice a difference in the glow before and after tumbling, but there might have been a difference. My next project is to slab some and make pendants or something.

[@greatnorthernviews3052]

Those are fun for sure! Just got back from western Lake Superior. Just got done tumbling them. They came out nice and shiny. I skipped step one and went straight to the lot-o. Saved on grit and time. They came out nice. They were very beach worn. It’s always nice to save on grit and time.😊

[@MichiganRocks]

I like that perfect look, so I rarely skip the first stage. But if you want a more natural look and don't mind a few holes and cracks, the Lot-O will do the trick.

[@greatnorthernviews3052]

@@MichiganRocks I only do the ones that don’t have any cracks or holes. The rest I put into the rotary first.

[@juliebauknecht2071]

crosses are awesome. I'd like to try them and make a necklace. Do you drill them to attach a chain and bale?

[@MichiganRocks]

I have only made them into necklaces a couple times. It's not difficult, I just think of them as pocket crosses.

[@jimknarr]

Now THOSE are the real Galaxy Stones! BTW, I really liked Bill's chert!

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm waiting for a call from Bill tomorrow because I didn't tell him it was done yet. I thought that one was really cool.

[@renee4053]

My god, it looks like your looking into space with those yooperlites! Beautiful. Guess you got me started on a new hobby. Thank you

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome! It's a fun hobby.

[@findingrocks81]

These are really impressive! They glow like lava or fire. We have a rock club member in town here who has hundreds of varieties of fluorescent rocks. He showcases them at rock shows using a special tent, and different lights.

[@MichiganRocks]

That fluorescent stuff gets expensive in a hurry. I was just looking at shortwave lights the other day and decided that was not something I need to get into right now. Did you see the video where we collected these? kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6jMcoxpq7t5rdU That was a lot of fun.

[@captpaul8827]

Once hooked, it's hard to resist fluorescent specimens...

[@joechiaretti4131]

We got two small pebbles of yooperlite at a Tucson gem show venue (convention center show held by TGMS) last month. Fluorescent minerals were the theme of the 2022 TGMS show and the displays of fluorescent minerals were just amazing! My wife and I want to come to the U-P and rock hound for yooperlites as well as Petoskey stones and puddingstones. My question for you is whether yooperlites make attractive cabochons? They generally look like a generic dull gray intrusive igneous rock.

[@MichiganRocks]

I usually leave them on the beach for that reason. They're really fun to look for, but then what? My son in law cut these up to make fridge magnets. Even then, they look like boring, gray rocks until you hit them with a flashlight. As you can see in this video, they do shine up nice, but there's more to a nice cab than just being shiny.

[@joechiaretti4131]

You're absolutely right Rob. A shiny gray rock is just a shiny gray rock unless the rock's patterns, minerals, or structures are interesting to look at. Petoskey stones are also gray and are not the most colorful rocks around, but their coralline structural patterns make them very interesting. BTW: I'm telling all my wife's Michigan family members about your great YT channel. 😊

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks, Joe!

[@dudeist_priest]

These are so cool! My friend just got back from Michigan but wasn't able to find one for me, unfortunately. It's even cooler to learn they still glow after being polished!

[@MichiganRocks]

They are pretty cool. I also slabbed some and my son in law cut some into fun fridge magnets. Slabbing Yooperlites: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnu4fqJ_pbSbpdE Making Yooperlite Fridge Magnets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5vTgKdsh9ploM0

[@clentonweston8839]

Maaaan those stones turned out BEAUTIFUL 😍!!! That tumbler is AMAZING!

[@pologrj]

My 6-year-old son Geremiah calls them lava rocks . Beautiful, we hope to go hunting for some this spring . 🙏💚🙏

[@MichiganRocks]

They do like like glowing embers, don't they?

[@Rookie_Rockounding]

Man I honestly was thinking “I wonder if they tumble?” The first time I saw a yooperlite and I love that you made this! The banded chert! And the picks are amazing! I’ve just packed my tumbler and won’t be opening it until we get to the new place but now I wish I hadn’t... haha! They really turned out beautiful Rob. Just really enjoy what you do. Never change mate. Just love it. The one at 10:49 looks like a galaxy! 😳✨

[@MichiganRocks]

I had several people ask about tumbling them, so I figured it might make a good video. I knew they'd still fluoresce after tumbling, but I wasn't sure if they'd all get shiny. I'm very happy with the results. Where are you moving? New house in the same area, or new town too?

[@lynettepavelich7540]

Super cool! Agree they look like constellations! 💫

[@leslyeschoenhuth1107]

* The banded chert is Stunning.. Tumbled extremely well.. It is surprising how different the Yooperlites look after tumbling.. but still not orange removed.. Cool..

[@lightsoutisay]

Whoa I love those guitar picks! The yooperlites are stunning too :)

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@diannpowell1077]

Is it my imagination or did you not lose as much rock when tumbled as you do with other rocks? They looked fantastic and just about the same size as they started out! So glad you showed us this,thank you!

[@MichiganRocks]

That's not your imagination. Most of these were only in coarse stage for a week. Coarse stage is where the most grinding takes place, so I didn't remove much material. After the first stage, the grit gets finer and finer, so it doesn't remove very much material.

[@acerone10]

Yes, they are amazing. I could see some blue spots in a few of the rocks. Loving rocks from Ohio.

[@MichiganRocks]

The blue is just dust. Dusty shop.

[@jamesferry6717]

Gorgeous rocks as always! I hope to get out there one day to collect my own.

[@rondias6625]

Yeeeeaahh !! Outstanding well worth the wait for this video..that is soooo cool they tumble just awesome..that's amazing art..I'm gonna have to get some Yooperlites..well I'll have to buy some on the internet that is..no Yooperlites here in western Pa..lol..and I just love the crosses..do you sell them online ? Thank you so much for sharing so cool..Tumbled Yooperlites would have been a farout addition to my man cave way back in the 70s with all the black light posters and incense..lol..have a blessed day

[@MichiganRocks]

I think these things are really cool. I've had a ball with these from hunting right through tumbling them. Next up is slabbing them and making something else. I sell the crosses in a local shop. They will ship them to you if you contact them. olivetbookandgift.com

[@rondias6625]

@@MichiganRocks cool beans..thank you so much..ill be in touch with them to buy some..thank you thats awesome..👍

[@lyndahall501]

It also looks like she's giving the peace sign 😊

[@alczek]

As usual great video, never miss for the Mrs and I. Your tumbled rocks look shiny and brilliant, ours not so much. We are new and have had a few batches all the way through the process. Rocks that are a variety including those that you get to shine so well. If we are putting too many rocks in is that the problem? The rocks are all smooth and look great wet. We'll keep trying, we love it as two retirees.

[@MichiganRocks]

It's really hard to help you without a lot more information. There are a lot of variables to consider. I assume you've watched my videos on how to tumble. Could you answer these questions? 1. What kind of rocks? 2. What kind of tumbler? Rotary or vibratory? 3. What were the stages you did? For each stage, what was in the barrel and how much of it? Rocks, water, grit size and type (silicon carbide 220 or aluminum oxide 500), plastic or ceramic media, anything else in the barrel, such as borax 4. How long was each stage run for? The more details, the better. Another thing that I'd recommend is posting pictures along with the answers to the above questions on the Rock Tumbling Hobby forums. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com

[@alczek]

@@MichiganRocks We have watched all fo your videos. We've tried all types of rocks including Jasper, Chirt, Agates and various hard type rocks. You'd think some would be brilliant. I've even tried to polish them using the levi cloth and try buffing using a Dremel. Also tired Ivory soap in addition to the powder polish. I hand do Petoskey stones which come out rather well.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@alczek Could you answer my questions above so I can try to help you?

[@alczek]

@@MichiganRocks Various type but all are hard rocks. Jasper, Chirt, agate,

[@MichiganRocks]

@@alczek The type of rocks aren't the problem, so it must be something else, but I have no idea what you've done so far.

[@1949chefjojo]

I sure that a backyard landscape will look 👀 good with the rocks.

[@berjo77]

I’m with you that the rocks that aren’t as crowded, dark spaces between the florescence is more striking.

[@MichiganRocks]

The patterns can be pretty cool. I always like rocks with some sort of pattern on them more than plain rocks.

[@CityRockhounding]

Looks like the sun from a satellite camera, the glowing light like the glowing sun. Great final product! I'll take them all, lol!

[@Sandsquid21]

I’m sorry, I am quite late to the party and was just up at Grand Marais this past weekend for Memorial Day. I scoured the beach two nights in a row and finally found some my second night. Unfortunately, i think that beach was searched earlier in the week and all the fairly obvious ones were found before I got there. This leads to my question: of the ones I found that show just tiny bits of the glowing ember effect, can they be cracked open to find more visual evidence on the inside of the rock? Like, would it be more uniform on the inside?

[@MichiganRocks]

I have only cut a few open, but they were the same inside as outside. The same goes for other rocks, like puddingstones. I would be very surprised if there was significantly more glow on the inside than on the outside.

[@Sandsquid21]

@@MichiganRocks that’s so awesome! Thank you for the info! Totally gonna crack one open now

[@nadacommie6235]

yes, looks like space pictures to me as well.

[@MichiganRocks]

Cool, huh?

[@nadacommie6235]

@@MichiganRocks now i have to rescan all my rocks again with the black light. short or long black light?

[@MichiganRocks]

@@nadacommie6235 365nm is the best, although they do fluoresce under 395nm, but not as brightly.

[@jenniferwilkes8230]

do you have any idea if those rocks are in the lake Erie area ? im on the Canadian side by point Pellee ?

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't know. I have looked in Lake Huron on two different beaches with no luck.

[@jenniferwilkes8230]

@@MichiganRocks thanks i also looked in Goderich beach on lake Huron on the Canadian side . next time i go im going to bring a light with me and see . I think i might have one in my bucket. your page is where i learned that they glow with a blue light :) thanks .

[@MichiganRocks]

@@jenniferwilkes8230 You need a decent light to make them glow very strongly. I cheap U.V. light will work to some extent, but for a good glow you need a stronger 365nm light.

[@nunyabisnass1141]

7:44 looks like the oak handle i made to fix a friends wood plane. beautiful tiger striping.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, it really does look like wood.

[@SherryAustinMcginley]

Fascinating rocks! The guitar pick with the bluish dot looked like a bird on a wire. 👍

[@MichiganRocks]

I didn't notice that about the guitar pick. I'll have to go take a look at it again.

[@KatieReadsKoziesAndMore]

Sherry, I thought the same thing!

[@Jude-to7lw]

Have you cut any of these in half? I wonder if there’s more of a solid orange in the center.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have cut some and I made a video just for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnu4fqJ_pbSbpdE

[@alisondorval5914]

I have got to go up nort! I’ve found some where I live south of Milwaukee, but they’re not even close to this defined.

[@MichiganRocks]

We found quite a few and left a lot of them on the beach. This summer we went out and got skunked though. It was right after Memorial Day weekend, so I think the beach got hunted pretty hard.

[@alisondorval5914]

@@MichiganRocks I'll be in Door County in October, so hopefully the fall winds bring some up on shore.

[@cindymccasland7729]

Could you tell me a little bit more about the UV flashlight you used in your video? There are so many out there and I don't know what to look for. Thanks, love your videos. Very new to rock tumbling.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have a Convoy S2 with a filter. The filter is to filter out white light. It's the only one I've used, but Sam and I met a guy on the beach who had a couple lights that he liked better and they were cheaper. I didn't get the exact model, but there are other options than the one I use. It's hard to know what to believe because you really want to hear from someone who has used more than one so they know what a good one is like. Here's an affiliate link to the one I have: kingsleynorth.com/convoy-s2-uv-led-flashlight.html?ref=robertabram1&

[@raptsullivanstew1919]

Wow… the yooperlite sort of resembles Koroit nut opal under the fluorescence. Nice stone!

[@MichiganRocks]

Must be a cool opal too!

[@cynthiarowley719]

Good as a summer rerun, too. The depth of color is deceptive.

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you liked again!

[@karenpacker8862]

The constellation one is awesome. The chert..picks and crosses are amazing too.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks Karen!

[@jamesrich8463]

Well I wouldn't think you could tumble off the florescent because its part of the stone vs just being something stuck on the surface. Now I have find a good spot to find some, never found any yet.

[@MichiganRocks]

When I posted my first video about finding these, I got a lot of questions about whether they would still fluoresce after tumbling, so I made this video. It was pretty obvious to me that the sodalite would be all through the rock, but it seemed better to show it than to just claim it without evidence. What I was surprised by was how well they polished up. I was expecting them to tumble like granite.

[@angmodesto7792]

what kind of tumbler and what kind of media to tumble with I am struggling with getting a nice shine. I'm using grit but can change to something else.

[@MichiganRocks]

I use a rotary tumbler followed by a vibratory tumbler. I use ceramic media in the rotary and I use good quality polish. Here are two videos I think you'd find helpful. The first one shows the process I use for almost everything. The second shows common mistakes that people make. How I tumble: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nquVdmOuf754jbs Common Mistakes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKazpaOqp5ySjJY

[@pennyhoward3438]

So very cool! Thanks for sharing

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome!

[@johnkantar3082]

Thanks for the video, how can i get hold of a few of these stones for my UV collection in Melbourne Australia thanks John.k

[@MichiganRocks]

Hi John. Kingsley North sells them. I think they ship internationally, but you'd need to check to be sure. kingsleynorth.com/yooperstone-jar-large.html?ref=robertabram1& (affiliate link) The guy who trademarked the name also sells them. store.yooperlites.com/collections/all

[@scottsystems8981]

Have you ever broke a yooperlite to see what they look like on the inside? Or make into a guitar pick - for a band that plays under a black light would be cool!

[@MichiganRocks]

No, but I plan to slab some and make some pendants or something. The guitar pick is an interesting idea.

[@scottsystems8981]

@@MichiganRocks look forward to seeing future projects! Any Christmas ornaments? Love the yooperlites!!! 🥰😍👍👊

[@MichiganRocks]

@@scottsystems8981 I thought about doing some Christmas ornaments. I just mentioned that to my wife a couple days ago. I wasn't sure what to make though. I thought about unakite Christmas trees, since unakite is red and green. I'd love to hear your ideas for what to make.

[@susanfisher9444]

what did you add in polishing stage was it ceramic media? I saw other spots where you used corn cob ...and is course grind 80 grit ?

[@MichiganRocks]

I usually use 46/70 for coarse, but 80 works well too. I used the same method that I used up in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaTVnqOGj9d0q7c If you look in the description, it has all the steps.

[@noumavlog]

It's so much beautiful i love this job

[@outdoorwally8430]

Did you check your waste material with the light afterwards? I bet it glowed

[@jac4YouTube]

I have some sodilte gemstones that I got years ago, I don't know if they glow or not as I don't have a UV light to check them but also I'm curious if the one you mentioned that glows blue - if it may be radioactive, if there is a way to check.

[@MichiganRocks]

I supposed you'd have to use a Geiger counter to see if something was radioactive. I've never done anything like that.

[@dancrites453]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing...

[@MichiganRocks]

Sure thing, Dan. Something else to pick up on your trip to Superior.

[@jtbess69]

Could you slab a few yooperlite I would like to see if it glows all the way thru a stone...

[@MichiganRocks]

Sure, here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnu4fqJ_pbSbpdE

[@larrymoremckenzie3029]

Was wondering how u cut the grooves around the stone.

[@MichiganRocks]

I use a groove bit on a glass grinding machine. I have a similar machine to what I use listed in my Amazon storefront along with the bits. You can see how I do it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWa8iYSfhJmLnbM

[@DigginWithDeej]

Amazing results!

[@heloshark]

Great content. Do you have any information regarding rocks in other areas of the US?

[@MichiganRocks]

I have done a couple videos in Ohio and one in Minnesota, but that's about it. I live in Michigan, so that's where most of my videos are. I'm open to doing more videos in other states, but traveling just for that purpose is pretty expensive.

[@1949chefjojo]

They are all beautiful 🤩.

[@sherilynn]

Those blue specks are beautiful

[@MichiganRocks]

The blue specks are dust. Plenty of dust in my shop.

[@MrEScience]

We just spent a few days in the U.P. on family vacation and found some great ones too! I was wondering if tumbling would make them lose their luster, thanks for answering my question with such a great video!

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome, I'm glad to help.

[@betojdesigns]

Those turned out beautiful, as well as the guitar picks and crosses. Look like wonderful upcoming Christmas presents to me. But, that banded chert blew me away, it was awesome 🤩

[@MichiganRocks]

Really good banded chert is hard to beat. That one is great.

[@donnalantz7981]

I have a few small ones we found. Now I know I can tumble them. Cool. I am also wondering if you could help me figure out why a lot of my quartz cracks when I tumble it. I do them in my lot-o tumbler. Am I doing something wrong?

[@MichiganRocks]

You're quartz is likely cracked before you tumble it. When it's tumbled, the cracks just become more visible.

[@donnalantz7981]

Ok thank you

[@cindybergman2996]

I have recently started collecting stones ,I have bought yooperlite and a skull shape it is dull can I put them in a rock tumbler to get them more shiny or would it take away thr shape of them

[@MichiganRocks]

If it has been carved into a skull shape, I'd be very hesitant to tumble it. I definitely would not tumble it in a rotary tumbler. Vibratory tumblers don't change the shape of rocks very much, but it will change a little since you're grinding a little rock off.

[@victoriabryer4710]

Lakev Ontario my not have Yooperlites but were do have some that glow. I don't know which ones. So I grabbed a whole bunch of rocks so I hope one of them glows, when I get my hands on a good uv flashlight

[@MichiganRocks]

Yooperlites are not all that common, so you'd need to take a few dumptruck loads home to get lucky enough to have one in it by random chance. I have suspected that I've found some in the daytime though, just by how they look under normal light. I should really throw my U.V. light in my backpack for daytime hunts too.

[@josephpotterf9459]

I wonder if the slurry would have glowed from tumbling? Thanks

[@MichiganRocks]

I wish I would have thought to look.

[@bob_frazier]

Awesome! And I was wondering if they'd take a polish. Now I know.

[@MichiganRocks]

I was surprised at how well they did.

[@rtucker0458]

You said you cut some up.. I wonder.. do these glow if back lit?? As seen from the other side?

[@MichiganRocks]

I cut some of these up in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnu4fqJ_pbSbpdE They don't glow if lit from the back since they're opaque.

[@jamesh5460]

Is the Great Lakes area the only place yooperlites are found?

[@MichiganRocks]

There are fluorescent rocks found in a lot of places. I don't know if this particular kind of rock is found anywhere else.

[@captpaul8827]

Just fyi; we're looking at that blue reaction to UV light to see what mineral it may be. I have a couple with the blue colour and we're slowly narrowing it down.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks Paul. Unfortunately, I tumbled it off. I saw a couple others like this on the beach. I wonder if there is more inside the rock. I was thinking about grinding it slowly while checking with the blue light to see if I had uncovered any more.

[@williamwillie4008]

Bravo sir, Bravo!!!! Favorite video so far.... cheers

[@MichiganRocks]

Wow, I've made quite a few videos, so that's saying a lot. Thanks William!

[@aliencat11]

These are incredible! I think i have picked up a cuople of them wayyyyy back when i was 15 or so in the UP. Now i have to get a uv light and double check.

[@MichiganRocks]

These look a lot like a many other rocks in normal light. I think I was pretty lucky to find one without actually looking for it.

[@hopalstudiosjuliehattis]

I livein lower Mi by the big D and have yet to travel up and get Mr afew Yooperlites! 🙁

[@MichiganRocks]

What are you waiting for?

[@jackburns804]

Just for fun, when you tumble the yoopers does the slurry glow at all?

[@MichiganRocks]

I never thought to shine a light on it. That would have been fun to check on, I wish I had thought of it.

[@jackburns804]

@@MichiganRocks Quick question, can agatized petrified wood be tumbled?

[@MichiganRocks]

@@jackburns804 Yep.

[@cindybergman2996]

Also I'm confused about what kind of uv light to by I bought one off Amazon but what is the best spectrum to get

[@MichiganRocks]

I have a Convoy S2 light and I like it. The Convoy C8 is more powerful, but if you are not hunting them and just want to light yours up, the S2 will work well. The wavelength you want is 365 nm. This is an affiliate link to the one I have: kingsleynorth.com/convoy-s2-uv-led-flashlight.html?ref=robertabram1&

[@speaklifegardenhomesteadpe8783]

Where could I purchase your creations? Beautiful!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't sell polished rocks anywhere, but I do sell a few things at a local shop. I sell little stone crosses, guitar picks, beads the fit Pandora bracelets, heart shaped pendants, other pendants, and Christmas ornaments at that time of year. They don't have an online store, but will work with you if you call or email. olivetbookandgift.com

[@bagheera2021]

Do you have a link to buy the flashlight? I searched Convoy S2 and a lot of different options came up. Not sure what one is the correct one. Matt

[@MichiganRocks]

I bought mine from yooperlites.com. If you know what you're doing, you can buy them cheaper and then buy the correct filter for it, but I got pretty confused the more I researched that. The guy who sells them at the Yooperlite site guarantees them too, so I figured that wasn't a bad thing.

[@jesthesinginggardener]

Can we buy the guitar picks somewhere? :)

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, I have a few at Olivet Book & Gift. They don't have an online store, but if you email them they will help you out. olivetbookandgift.com

[@jesthesinginggardener]

Michigan Rocks yea!!!!

[@suzannedawson4120]

Beautiful rocks! Wow! Are the yooperlites only found on the shore of Lake Superior or can they be found on the shores of Lake Michigan as well?

[@MichiganRocks]

I have read of some being found in Lake Michigan, but I think they're much more scarce there. I tried two beaches on Lake Huron with no luck.

[@antonypalmer5804]

Yooperlites never heard of them before thanks for sharing, they are quite spectacular.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, they're really fun. Did you see the video where Sam and I found them? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bandf5yHorCje9k

[@lorrets9775]

It's good you are willing to experiment

[@MichiganRocks]

You have to experiment in this hobby if you want to learn much. I learn as much from failed experiments as I do from successful ones like this.

[@jbsvideos5589]

Which filter do you use? I use the same flashlight to charge fishing lures up!

[@MichiganRocks]

I bought mine right from the Yooperlite site. The filter was already installed, so I don't know exactly what it is.

[@katrussell6819]

Can you give us advice on what UV flashlights are best?

[@MichiganRocks]

The best wavelength is 365nm. I have a Convoy S2 with a filter.

[@ShojoBakunyu]

What's the right type of black light to get for rockhounding?

[@MichiganRocks]

I have a Convoy S2 with a filter. There are a few that are better, but that one worked really well for me. The cheap ones work a little, but you need to get very close to the rocks and even then they don't glow very brightly.

[@zerachemmanuel786]

what kind of flashlight do you use thanks

[@MichiganRocks]

I have a Convoy S2 with a filter.

[@Sunrise_Streaming_Services]

I'd love to see a video about making those crosses and what you use them for.

[@MichiganRocks]

You should love this video then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnuaoqWfhKtjqJY

[@Sunrise_Streaming_Services]

@@MichiganRocks I did next time I'm in Alpena I'll be stopping at Olivet

[@MichiganRocks]

@@Sunrise_Streaming_Services Thanks!