The Difference Between Petoskey Stones and Charlevoix Stones

Everyone seems to want Petoskey Stones...but what about the cousin of the Petoskey: the Charlevoix Stone?

What's the difference, you ask? Petoskey stones are tightly packed, six-sided coral fossils, all skeletons of the prehistoric coral polyps. In the center of each polyp was the mouth; there were also creepy tentacles that grabbed for food.

The dark center is different in the Petoskey and Charlevoix; the Charlevoix stones have smaller ones. Also, the Charlevoix stone has smaller coral exoskeletons than the Petoskey.

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Where can you find these stones? While visiting the Charlevoix, that’s where. Rock hounds litter the beaches on the lookout for both.

BEST PLACES TO LOOK FOR CHARLEVOIX STONES:

Antrim Creek Nature Preserve
Beaver Island
Fisherman’s Island State Park
Mt. McSauba Recreation Area
North Point Nature Preserve
Rex Beach

Go to any rocky, uncrowded Lake Michigan beach.....it may take longer than expected, but you'll find one or more.

By the way:
1) According to the DNR, you can only legally take up to 25 pounds of stones per year. 2) You are not allowed to remove rocks from federal lands.
3) If you find or own a Petoskey Stone that weighs over 25 pounds. the DNR has the right to confiscate it. That may go for the Charlevoix stone as well.

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