Petoskey Stone: Finding, Identifying, and Collecting Michigan’s Most Storied Fossil

Your Definitive Guide to Petoskey Stone

Michigan’s state stone is prized for its beautiful patterning, which is said to resemble the rays of the rising sun. Take an in-depth look at the famous fossilized coral―including a summary of the fascinating natural history, which began 400 million years ago. Learn all about it, and then head out and search for your own.

Get expert advice from author Dan R. Lynch on how to identify and collect Petoskey stones. With tips on where to look and what to look for, along with information about Petoskey lookalikes and other fossils you might find, your rock-hounding trips will be better than ever! Suggestions on what to do with your finds and how much they’re worth add to the knowledge you’ll gain from Petoskey Stone.

From Lake Michigan beaches and Petoskey State Park to gravel pits and riverbeds, grab this book and begin your rock-hunting adventure!

Dan R. Lynch grew up in his parents’ rock shop―Agate City, in Two Harbors, Minnesota―on the shores of Lake Superior, where he learned the nuances of rock, mineral, and fossil identification firsthand. He has always enjoyed sharing his knowledge, and after earning his degree in graphic design with emphasis on photography from the University of Minnesota Duluth, it seemed a natural choice to combine all of his interests by writing rock and mineral field guides. His father, Bob Lynch, a respected veteran of the Lake Superior agate-collecting community, helped him get his start in this endeavor, and now Dan enjoys helping amateurs “decode” the complexities of geology and mineralogy. Many of his books focus on specific favorites, such as Lake Superior agates or Petoskey stone, and he takes pride that they all feature his true-to-life photographs and easy-to-read text. He currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with his wife, Julie, where he works as an author, artist, and classical numismatist.