PETOSKEY STONE

Petoskey Stone; pey-tah-skee stohn

General Gemstone Details

A Petoskey stone is a rock and a fossil, often pebble-shaped, that is composed of a fossilized coral.

The stones were formed as a result of glaciation, in which sheets of ice plucked stones from the bedrock, grinding off their rough edges and depositing them in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and the northwestern portion of Michigan's lower peninsula. In some areas of Michigan, complete fossilized coral colony heads can be found.

Petoskey stones are found in the Gravel Point Formation of the Traverse Group. They are fragments of a coral reef that was originally deposited during the Devonian period, about 350 million years ago.

When dry, the stone resembles ordinary limestone but when wet or polished using lapidary techniques, the distinctive mottled pattern of the six-sided coral fossils emerges. Other forms of fossilized coral are also found in the same location.

In 1965, it was named the state stone of Michigan.

Etymology

The name comes from an Ottawa Indian Chief, Chief Pet-O-Sega. The city of Petoskey, Michigan, is also named after him, and is the center of the area where the stones are found. The stones are commonly found on beaches and in sand dunes.

According to legend, Petosegay was the child of a descendant of French nobleman and fur trader, Antoine Carre and an Ottawa princess. Petosegay, meaning "rising sun", "rays of dawn" or "sunbeams of promise", was named after the rays of sun that fell upon his newborn face. In keeping with his promising name, Petosegay was a wealthy fur trader who gained much land and acclaim for himself and his tribe. He was remarked upon to have a striking and appealing appearance, and spoke English very well. He married another Ottawa, and together they had two daughters and eight sons. In the summer of 1873, a few years before the chief's passing, a city began on his land along Little Traverse Bay. The settlers christened the newborn city Petoskey, an anglicized form of Petosegay.

Metaphysical properties

Petoskey Stone is fossilized coral:. Petoskey Stone helps us recognize and acknowledge our emotions, a very important step in learning to love ourselves. It works on both the Third Eye and Crown Chakras. It helps us develop our intuitive abilities. This is a good crystal to help anyone with their creative side and to bring abundance to your projects. If you channel, this crystal will help keep the alpha levels away from your channel of communication.

The metaphysical properties of Coral and Fossil also apply to this crystal.

Coral brings you peace. It can help keep your emotions at bay so that you can find your quiet center. This sea creature helps develop your intuition, your ability to "see" images, and your imagination. Coral is good for the bones and also for blood cells.

Fossils help you to give up how the world expects you to think and the concept of time so that you can take the larger metaphysical/spiritual view of ways to think and time. Interestingly enough, Fossils can also help you pull ahead in the business world. They can influence your co-workers as well as yourself to be the best you can be at work and to instill your excellence in your environment at home.