POLISHING PETOSKEY STONES
The life of a polished Petoskey Stone begins with actually finding a Petoskey Stone. Stones found, to polish, are on beaches, along road cuts, fields, or driveways. Petoskey Stones and other fossils are found across north west Michigan, with Petoskey Stones being most prevalent near Petoskey.
STEP 1: Spring time is the best season to look. As ice breaks up and winds move the ice back and forth the stones are “shoveled” onto the beach. After a storm or during rain the pattern is most obvious. The six sided pattern can be from 1/6 to 3/8 of an inch. Hard stones are more difficult to find, but, will take a brilliant shine. Select a stone that is thicker, as they are easier to hold, especially for kids.
STEP 2: Use a fresh styrofoam tray to hold your wet/dry, coarse (60 grit), emery cloth. Dampen the cloth and rub the stone back and forth. Occasionally rinse the stone and check for smoothness. When smooth rinse well and go to step 3.
TIP Polish 1 side and you will have a “show and tell”, one side natural - one side polished.
STEP 3: Rinse stone well and use a new styrofoam plate or tray. Next, use the 150 grit, wet/dry, emery cloth. Put in your container and dampen. Commence rubbing until all scratches and blemishes are gone. Rinse in clean water and check stone for blemishes. When smooth go to STEP 4.
TIP Any blemishes will not buff out. Extra work sanding makes buffing much easier.
STEP 4: Rinse stone completely in clean water and use a new plate or tray. Lay your dampened felt on your tray or plate and sprinkle tin oxide, aluminum oxide, or cerium oxide on the damp felt. Keep the felt damp so the oxide powder sticks. Rub back and forth until your stone has a satisfactory shine. When you have a nice shine - you are done !