Leland Blue Stone: Michigan's Unique History
Leland Blue is a blue or green looking stone that is not actually technically a stone- it’s called slag.
Northern Michigan was known for its iron ore and mining industry, which is just how this slag has formed and created the beautiful Leland Blue Stone.
You may be asking- What is slag? The process, roughly described, is that during the mining of ore, it eventually gets heated to extreme temperatures and separated into iron ore and then other natural byproducts. From here, these other natural byproducts cool and mix and as a result, form slag, sometimes containing colors.
The slag that formed Leland Blue, is obviously blue in color, but can sometimes be darker, lighter, or different shades of blue/green. This beautiful stone can be found on the shores of Leland’s beaches and other beachfront areas in Northern Michigan.
How to Identify Leland Blue Stone
While walking along the shores of any beach, looking down at all the rocks and trying to identify them seems impossible. How would you know if you found a Leland Blue Stone? There are so many rocks scattered along the beach.
Well, these beautiful rocks are typically a deep, Robin’s egg blue color. Almost instantly, they stand out from other rocks and stones just because of their strong difference in color. These stones are not always the same shape, size, or shade of blue, but they are always beautiful in color and impossible not to hold onto if they are found.
You may realize upon grabbing and picking up a Leland Blue Stone that it is super smooth and soft on the outside, often with air bubble pockets formed in the slag stone.
Leland, also known as ‘Fishtown’
Can You Find Leland Blue Anywhere?
This funky-colored rock is amazing and so cool, but unfortunately can’t be found just anywhere. This is just one of the many hidden gems that are specific to Northern Michigan. Due to the mining history that once completely consumed the Upper Peninsula, this stone is just one of the many existing outcomes of these small-town mining companies today. Leland can be found in several places, but one of the most common is obviously the town itself.
Leland is a very small town located on a tiny piece of land between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau. This is called the Leelanau Peninsula, a historical tourist trap with many visitors during the summer, bustling with people walking along the beaches and small shops.
If you want a foolproof way to collect some Leland Blue, take a trip to Michigan, walk down the shores of any Leland beaches and look down at your feet. You are bound to find something amazing and beautiful to look at!
Using Leland Blue to Make Jewelry
One of the most common ways to utilize Leland Blue Stone to your benefit is to make jewelry with it. In fact, this is probably the most common way people will hear about it. This jewelry is so desirable that tourists travel to the area just to find it or buy it in shops. Almost any small town shop you go to in Northern Michigan will be selling a beautiful array of Leland Blue Stone rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more items such as polished stones as well.
These stones are easy to shine and smooth up if they aren’t already, making them jewelry-ready in no time. Because Leland Blue is so naturally beautiful, it doesn’t take much to make this jewelry outstanding.
Carry on the History of the Leland Blue Stone
If you are looking for a way to keep history alive in Michigan, or to simply have a small reminder of what made these wonderful towns, definitely make sure to check out this Leland Blue vegan nail polish, inspired by the beautiful Leland Blue Stone.
Take one look at this breathtaking color and picture yourself on a beachfront along the shores of Michigan’s Great Lakes.
Read More: 7 Things to Do on Mackinac Island
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Article Contributor: Maddy
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