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Along the shores of Michigan’s Great Lakes, rockhounds uncover all sorts of colorful, unique, and fascinating rocks and minerals. If you want to collect glowing Yooperlites, vivid Lake Superior Agates, or patterned Isle Royal Greenstones, Michigan is the place to be!
From the Great Lakes State, rockhounds collect:
- Lake Superior
- Agate,
- Petoskey Stone,
- Yooperlite,
- limestone,
- basalt,
- Isle Royal Greenstone,
- copper,
- calcite,
- fluorite,
- hematite,
- and Leland Blue stones.
Without information and preparation, you might not have the opportunity to collect some of the most interesting and eye-catching rocks and minerals that lie waiting in Michigan’s terrain. Using this guide to Michigan’s common rocks and minerals, you will know exactly what treasures lie hidden in the Great Lakes State and where to find them.
If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
What Rocks Are Found in Michigan
Anyone who’s looking for rare rocks will be pleased to learn that Michigan has many, such as:
Lake Superior Agate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lake Superior | 47.227093, -91.376038 |
| Lake Michigan | 44.171625, -86.389398 |
| Au Sable River | 44.667831, -84.450447 |
| Whitefish Point | 46.764475, -84.961881 |
| Little Girls Point County Park | 46.605617, -90.320611 |
| Muskallonge State Park | 46.678414, -85.628224 |
| Black River Harbor | 46.664788, -90.045373 |
In the rockhounding community, one of the most popular types of agate is the Lake Superior Agate, found along the shores of Lake Superior. Famous for its vivid bands of red, orange, cream, and white, the Lake Superior Agate is a type of quartz that can also display brown, black, or dark grey colors.
The reason this agate has such rich colors is mainly due to the presence of oxidized iron within the rock, which is no surprise since iron is plentiful in Michigan.
Although Lake Superior Agates are popular, they aren’t the only type of agate you can uncover in Michigan. Another interesting type of agate that exists in this state is the Lake Michigan Cloud Agate, which is known for its cloud-like patterns of white, gray, and blue.
While Lake Superior and Lake Michigan are both well-known sites for agates, there are other areas in the state where rockhounds come across these rocks, including the Au Sable River and Black River Harbor.
Petoskey Stone
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Petoskey State Park | 45.406543, -84.908581 |
| Beaver Island | 45.633578, -85.604973 |
| Traverse City | 44.751044, -85.603807 |
| Manistee River | 44.248557, -86.343887 |
| Orchard Beach State Park | 44.281964, -86.317134 |
| Lake Michigan Beach | 42.205947, -86.393510 |
| Torch Lake | 45.076431, -85.355379 |
The Petoskey Stone is Michigan’s state stone, and it’s a type of fossilized corral that’s only found near the Great Lakes. Named after the town where it was first discovered, the Petoskey Stone displays an attractive honeycomb pattern that’s easily visible when the stone is wet or polished.
There are a few different types of Petoskey Stones that rockhounds collect from Michigan.
- the traditional Petoskey Stone is light gray or beige in color and displays its famous honeycomb pattern;
- other types of Petoskey Stones that display brown or black patterns are referred to as “snowflake” Petoskey Stones.
Rockhounds who aren’t native to Michigan are often surprised to learn that Petoskey Stones can be found almost anywhere in the Great Lakes State, from parking lots to rivers and even roads.
While you can also find this stone on Michigan’s beaches, it isn’t restricted to the sandy shores, and it’s especially common anywhere in the Lower Peninsula.
Yooperlite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lake Superior | 47.927955, -89.862867 |
| Whitefish Point | 46.764504, -84.961451 |
| Grand Marais | 46.671494, -85.983308 |
| Lake Michigan | 42.205184, -86.394025 |
| Point Betsie | 44.690650, -86.255160 |
| Keweenaw Peninsula | 46.860002, -88.479606 |
Who wouldn’t want to collect rocks that glow? Yooperlites are fluorescent sodalite rocks that glow when placed under UV light. They are predominantly found along the shores of the Great Lakes, but you can also find this rock scattered in other areas of the state.
These rare rocks exist solely in Michigan and the surrounding areas, so it’s a great opportunity for rockhounds to add some rare and unique rocks to their collections.
While Yooperlites are typically found along Lake Superior, rockhounds find them along the shores of all five Great Lakes. The best way to find Yooperlites is to search at night with a UV light, which will cause the Yooperlites to glow.
Recommendation box: All tools and equipment you need for rockhounding and rock identification* (Amazon links):
1. Estwing Rock Hammer – Light, comfortable, and extremely durable hammer.
2. Estwing Geologist Pick – Classic and the most trusted paleo pick in the world.
3. Finder 12-inch Chisels – Heavy-duty chisels set with hand protection.
4. Mini Handle Shovel – This is a great tool for digging deep in the dirt.
5 Ironclad Utility Work Gloves – Breathable, but they also protect the areas requiring them most.
6. 3M Safety Glasses – Comfortable and efficient goggles for rockhounding.
7. Convoy 8+ UV Light – 365nm UV LED flashlight with a patented glass filter.
8. Wesley’s Jewelers Loupe – High magnification options (30X and 60X) with carrying case.
9. Mohs Hardness Kit – A specially designed kit for rockhounds
*All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website.
Limestone
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lake Huron | 44.628970, -83.373545 |
| Rogers City | 45.412706, -83.820310 |
| Drummond Island | 46.020366, -83.732780 |
| Missaukee | 44.310834, -85.212832 |
| Mackinac Island | 45.847816, -84.623473 |
| Lake Michigan | 42.205184, -86.394025 |
| Kalkaska | 44.731004, -85.187048 |
Did you know that Michigan is home to the world’s largest limestone quarry? The mine is located in Rogers City, near Lake Huron, and the area has an abundance of limestone.
As a matter of fact, Michigan is the number one producer of limestone in the United States, and one of its most famous types of limestone is called Onondaga Limestone.
If you aren’t planning to visit Rogers City, you can swing by Lake Michigan, Missaukee, Kalkaska, and Lake Huron.
Basalt
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Isle Royale | 47.991323, -88.992285 |
| Keweenaw Peninsula | 46.859914, -88.482052 |
| Lake Michigan | 42.206328, -86.393853 |
| Lake Superior | 47.051997, -88.818852 |
| Pier Cove Park | 42.585364, -86.227103 |
| Petoskey State Park | 45.406543, -84.908581 |
Rockhounds encounter basalt all over Michigan, especially near the shores of Lake Superior. Basalt is known for its high iron and magnesium content, and since iron is especially abundant in the Great Lakes State, the basalt from this state has a high amount of this mineral.
Lake Superior, along with Lake Michigan, is a popular spot for rockhounds who are looking for basalt. You can also explore near Pier Cove State Park and Petoskey State Park for this igneous rock.
What Minerals Are Found in Michigan
In Michigan, you’ll find all kinds of metals, crystals, and minerals, such as:
Isle Royale Greenstone
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Isle Royale (surrounding areas) | 47.994999, -89.114508 |
| LaSelle Mine | 47.215953, -88.476867 |
| Keweenaw Peninsula | 46.859914, -88.482052 |
| Delaware Mines | 47.423948, -88.098583 |
| Houghton County | 46.783124, -88.817253 |
| Centennial Mine | 47.270428, -88.430548 |
The Isle Royale Greenstone, Michigan’s state gem, is a rare mineral that’s also called “chlorastrolite.” These stones are variants of the mineral pumpellyte, and gem-quality stones are only found in Michigan and the surrounding areas.
These rare stones are usually blue-green in color and display a turtleback pattern. As you search for this mineral, keep in mind that the stones are small and rarely over an inch in diameter.
Sadly, rockhounds are no longer able to collect this gem directly from Isle Royale. However, there are other areas in the state where anyone can collect these stones, such as Houghton County and the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Copper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Delaware Copper Mine | 47.423679, -88.098926 |
| Keweenaw Peninsula | 46.859914, -88.482052 |
| Eagle Harbor | 47.456358, -88.168592 |
| Hancock | 47.132012, -88.614074 |
| Greenland | 46.779029, -89.102449 |
| Copper Falls | 47.429448, -88.197857 |
It’s a well-known fact that there is a wealth of copper in Michigan, especially near the Great Lakes. Interestingly, the large copper deposits in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are pure copper.
Copper deposits often contain copper oxide or copper sulfide, but rarely pure copper. If you want to collect pure copper or valuable, high-quality copper crystals, Michigan is the perfect place to be!
As you might expect, there are copper mines all over Michigan, and some of the best areas for rockhounds to search are outside of these mines. Check out the mines near the Keweenaw Peninsula, Eagle Harbor, and Hancock.
TIP: You can satisfy your gold fever right here in Michigan. Check out the complete guide on gold prospecting in Michigan in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in Michigan: 7 Best Locations & Laws
Calcite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Houghton County | 46.783124, -88.817253 |
| Traverse Bay | 47.193668, -88.233915 |
| Keweenaw Peninsula | 46.859914, -88.482052 |
| Drummond Island | 46.020366, -83.733209 |
| Presque Isle | 45.303849, -83.477483 |
| Quincy Mine | 47.136175, -88.574564 |
There are many types of calcite that exist within the U.S., and one popular type that exists in Michigan is Amber Calcite. Amber Calcite, also known as Honeycomb Calcite, possesses intricate honeycomb patterns that can come in many different colors.
In addition to Amber Calcite, collectors also find Sunrise Calcite in certain areas of the state, such as Traverse Bay. With its gorgeous orange and yellow hues, it’s no wonder that this type of calcite was named after the sunrise!
Seek out Houghton County, Traverse Bay, and the Keweenaw Peninsula for gorgeous, high-quality pieces of calcite.
Fluorite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Keweenaw County | 47.385567, -88.232517 |
| Randville | 45.990633, -88.057206 |
| Monroe County | 41.896182, -83.484455 |
| Newport Quarry | 42.012074, -83.265452 |
| Marquette County | 46.602594, -87.464629 |
| Silver Creek | 43.556628, -88.025429 |
In the limestone deposits of Keweenaw County, rockhounds often come across fluorite. Michigan’s fluorite can appear in a variety of colors, and the quality varies depending on the location.
Visit Keweenaw County, Monroe County, and Marquette County to add authentic Michigan fluorite to your collection.
TIP: Fluorite can be extremely valuable because of these main factors: color, zonality, crystal habit, mineral paragenesis, and clarity. Find out more in the article below:
Fluorite Value: Main Factors & Prices for Different Units
Hematite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Jackson Mine | 46.487196, -87.612716 |
| Empire Mine | 46.465700, -87.603174 |
| Champion Mine | 46.508411, -87.989467 |
| Jasper Hill | 46.505582, -87.614262 |
| Marquette County | 46.316569, -87.665184 |
| Ishpeming City | 46.485895, -87.663606 |
Anywhere there’s iron, hematite is not far away. Hematite is an iron-oxide ore, and specimens from Michigan can appear black, red, or gray.
A popular type of hematite that exists in the Great Lakes State is called specular hematite, or specularite. Specular hematite is composed of tiny iron-rich mica crystals, which give the stone a silvery shine.
You can find hematite all over Michigan, especially in iron-rich areas. Collect this shiny mineral from areas near Jackson Mine, Champion Mine, and Empire Mine.
Leland Blue
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Leland | 45.007889, -85.779074 |
| Van’s Beach | 45.021996, -85.763110 |
| Lake Michigan | 42.207854, -86.392480 |
| Presque Isle | 45.303728, -83.477526 |
| Alpena | 45.067807, -83.412958 |
| Harrisville | 44.655029, -83.295249 |
Near Leland, Michigan, rockhounds often encounter Leland Blue stones, also known as Blue Slag. These man-made stones are by-products of iron smelting processes that were used in the late 19th century.
Since the iron smelting processes that created this stone are no longer used, Leland Blue specimens are rare. Typically, Leland Blue stones are robin’s egg blue in color, but they can also display green or purple hues.
Sadly, Leland Blue stones only exist in the northern areas of the state. Any of the areas and beaches surrounding Leland are great places to start.
TIP: One of the best lakes in the world to rockhound is Lake Michigan. Check out the best beaches for rockhounding on Michigan lake in the article below:
Guide: Best Rock Hunting Beaches on Lake Michigan
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in Michigan
Learn more about the rocks and minerals of Michigan with these FAQs:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in Michigan
Fortunately, Michigan is a great state for finding all sorts of rare and unique rocks, including Yooperlites, Lake Superior Agates, Petoskey Stones, sea glass, Devonian-period fossils, and jaspers.
While all these rare rocks are exciting finds, there are two that outshine all the rest in the eyes of rockhounds: Yooperlites and Petoskey Stones.
Yooperlites are famous for their fluorescent glow that shines brightly under UV light, and they are one of the most popular finds in Michigan. At night, you often see many rockhounds searching the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, hoping to get their hands on one of these famous stones.
The other most sought-after rock, the Petoskey Stone, is composed of fossilized coral and is prized for its gorgeous hexagonal pattern.
Whenever you search for rare rocks in Michigan, keep in mind that the Great Lakes have some of the best rocks in the state.
Additionally, certain lakes, such as Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, have many rare rocks in a single area, so they are great sites to visit if you want to collect multiple rocks from a single location.
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in Michigan
Fortunately for rockhounds, the list of rare Michigan minerals is a long one. Some rare and valuable minerals that exist in the Great Lakes State are diamond, Isle Royale Greenstone, Leland Blue stone, sapphire, specular hematite, celestite, fluorite, silver, gold, garnet, carnelian, amethyst, beryl, and tourmaline.
While all these minerals occur in Michigan, some are more famous than others. For example, the Isle Royale Greenstone and Leland Blue stone are two of the most desirable minerals in the state. Almost every visiting and local rockhound wants to collect these two stunning stones!
If you enjoy collecting metals instead of crystals, you’ll easily find everything you need here in Michigan, including silver, gold, and copper.
No matter what type of mineral you are searching for, the areas near the Great Lakes are perfect sites for rockhounding. To find a specific mineral or gem, save some time and narrow down your search by using the rockhounding locations listed above.
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in Michigan
Although it was a close run between the Isle Royale Greenstone, the Yooperlite, and the Petroskey Stone, the Petroskey Stone claimed the title of the most famous stone in Michigan.
Perhaps the reason for its popularity is the fact that this stone exists exclusively in Michigan, making it a rare find for anyone outside of the state. The Petroskey Stone is composed of fossilized coral hexagonaria percarinata, and it’s famous for its unique hexagonal pattern.
When dry, these stones look similar to light or dark gray limestone, and the pattern becomes distinct when the stone is wet. For this reason, rockhounds prefer to search as close to the water as possible when they’re on the hunt for these stones.
Investigate the shores of Lake Superior and the Petoskey region to bring home some of these unique Michigan rocks. Take a look at the “Petoskey Stone” section of this post for more detailed locations!
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
Conclusion
For rockhounds, Michigan’s Great Lakes are much more than scenic detours; they are paradise! Petroskey Stones, Isle Royale Greenstone, Leland Blue stones, Yooperlites, Lake Superior Agates, and more all reside on the shores of the Great Lakes.
So, after you take some time to look across the lakes and admire the scenic views, look down at the shore to find a treasure trove of collectible rocks and minerals!
TIP: Famous for its rich copper deposits and extensive iron ore deposits, Michigan is an excellent place for rockhounds. Check out the complete guide in the article below:
Rock Hunting in Michigan: Best Locations & What You Can Find