The Petoskey Stone is a beautiful, natural wonder that is unique to the state of Michigan. The Petoskey Stone has acted as a mainstay of Michigan culture for decades and will forever be connected with the unique culture of the mitten state.

Pre-Historic Beginnings

The Petoskey Stone first originated in the Michigan area during the Devonian Era of Prehistoric times. Well before dinosaurs walked the Earth, Michigan was located close to the equator and enjoyed a tropical climate. This area was covered by a shallow, warm saltwater ocean and was home to an assortment of marine life. One of the most common forms of sea life during this time were coral polyps, specifically the hexagonaria percarinata. Gradually the Earth’s tectonic plates shifted enough to move the Michigan area north towards the 45th parallel. During this time, roughly two million years ago, as the plates shifted ancient glaciers were scraped during this process and left fossils across the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, with a major concertation of these fossils being left behind in what is now modern day Petoskey, Michigan. These prehistoric fossils are now best known as the Petoskey Stone and is currently Michigan’s state stone.

Folklore: The Myth, the Legend, the Petoskey Stone

The story behind the meaning of the Petoskey Stone is ingrained into Michigan’s local history and reflects the unique history of this state. The meaning of the Petoskey Stone originates as a Native American name, Pet-O-Sega, which translates to ‘Sunbeams of Promise”, “Rising Sun”, or “Rays of Dawn”. Pet-O-Sega was also the name of a great Ottawa Chief. According to legend, this chief was the child of a French fur trader who was a descendent of nobility and a daughter of a Native American chief. As Pet-O-Sega was born sun rays fell on his face, signifying the rays of promise that his life would provide.

As Pet-O-Sega grew up, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a wealthy fur trader. The wealth that he accumulated from his trade allowed him to purchase land for his tribe and allowed him to act on his people’s behalf. Eventually he married an Ottawa woman and together they had ten children. In 1873, before his death a growing city on Ottawa’s land was named in his honor. This city is now known as Petoskey, an anglicized version of Pet-O-Sega’s name. The fossils that are scattered on the beaches around Petoskey were also named in honor of this great Ottawa Chief. The impact of Pet-O-Sega has extended far past his lifetime and is an integral part of Michigan’s unique history.

Finding a Petoskey Stone

As the name suggests, the epicenter of Petoskey Stone hunting are the beaches that surround the city of Petoskey. Although Petoskey Stones can be found among other Lake Michigan beaches in the area as well. The peak of Petoskey Stone hunting is during the spring season, just as the sheets of ice that cover Lake Michigan melt and reveal the treasures that were hidden just beneath the ice’s surface. Although, rock hounds have been known to be searching for Petoskey Stones until winter returns.

Lake Michigan beaches are typically the hot spots for these coral fossils in the area, but Petoskey Stones can also be found in the oddest of places- gravel pits, cut roadbeds, and even fields. Hunting for Petoskey Stones can be difficult to find when they are dry. When Petoskey Stones are dry they look just like regular, grey limestone. However, when the Petoskey Stone is wet, the famous six-sided “rays of rising sun” pattern reveals itself. This makes rock hounding for Petoskey Stones much easier on the lakeshore or even in Lake Michigan itself. If rock hounds are particularly lucky, they may spot the rare “Pink Pets” Petoskey Stone. The pink hue of this Petoskey Stone is created from iron that permeated coral as it became calcified.

There are a plethora of different Lake Michigan beaches to hunt for Petoskey Stones at. The best beaches to hunt for these stones line the Grand Traverse Bay and neighboring beaches that lining Lake Michigan. Rock hounds are most likely to have luck in Petoskey Stones by exploring the beaches in Petoskey, Charlevoix, Manistee, Frankfort, and Leelanau County.

A Unique Beauty

The Petoskey Stone is Michigan’s state stone and much like the mitten state itself, is a visual spectacle to behold. This stone is unique to the shores of Michigan and with each wave, a new Petoskey stone is uncovered.

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