Rockhounding at Agate Beach on Lake Superior: Finding Joy in Nature’s Treasures

There’s something magical about standing at the edge of a great lake. The wind in your hair, waves lapping against the shore, and sunlight glinting off the water — it’s enough to make you pause, breathe, and just be.

For us at jujujems, that moment of stillness often turns into searching — eyes on the ground, scanning for shapes and colors that don’t quite belong. That’s how we found ourselves combing the shores of Agate Beach in Grand Marais in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan this month, looking for one of the region’s most beloved treasures: Lake Superior Agates.

Do we think we found some? We sure do. And even if they’re still waiting for confirmation, the real gift was in the time spent exploring, having fun, and reconnecting with nature.

🔎 What Makes Lake Superior Agates Special?

Lake Superior Agates are famous for their rich red, orange, and golden banding, colors created by iron deposits in volcanic rock more than a billion years old. These stones are Minnesota’s official state gemstone, but they can also be found along Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin.

What makes them unique is not just their beauty but their toughness. After being shaped by glaciers and smoothed by waves, they often reveal incredible patterns — little works of natural art. No two are ever the same!

And while we don’t sell Lake Superior Agates — just yet — we do carry a wide variety of Agates & Geodes that share the same story: patience, transformation, the artistry of the Earth, and incredible beauty!

⛏️ Why Rockhounding Matters

Not every adventure has to end with a museum-worthy specimen. Sometimes it’s about:

• The thrill of the search — scanning for that flash of color or banding in the sand.

• The time together — walking, talking, and enjoying the peace with people you love (or just yourself!)

• The reminder — the Earth is constantly creating, polishing, and shaping treasures, even without us.

  
  

It’s a practice that slows you down and tunes you in. Whether you come home with a pocketful of stones or just memories, it’s always worth it … and you will come home with something!

🪨 Beginner Tips for Rockhounding

Thinking about trying it yourself? Here are some easy ways to get started:

• Bring a bucket or pouch — you’ll always find more than you expect.

• Look when the ground is wet — water makes patterns and colors pop.

• Use simple tools — a spray bottle, small shovel, or even a stick can help.

• Watch your step — wet rocks can be slippery.

• Leave some behind — take what calls to you, but let others enjoy the hunt too.

• Trust your eye — if a rock feels special to you, it is!

🏡 From Shorelines to Home

Back at jujujems HQ, we love how rocks and crystals carry the same energy indoors. In fact, we scatter them throughout our home — not just in displays, but tucked into bookshelves, window ledges, and tablescapes. Guests notice them, ask questions, and suddenly, what started as a hike or a lakeside wander becomes a story shared in the middle of the living room — or the bathroom!

That’s part of why we do what we do. Whether it’s an agate plucked from Lake Superior or a sparkling geode in our shop, every piece connects us back to nature, time, and the wonder of discovery.

❓ FAQ: Where Can You Find Lake Superior Agates?

Lake Superior Agates can be found along the shores of Lake Superior, especially after storms, or in gravel pits and exposed rocky areas in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The best time to hunt is when waves or rain have shifted the surface, revealing fresh stones.

🤔 Final Thoughts

Our Lake Superior finds are still being cleaned and studied (and maybe admired a little too much), but the real joy was the adventure itself. Getting outside, exploring together, and remembering that the Earth is always surprising us — that’s the treasure!

So next time you’re near a river, lake, hiking trail, or even a gravel parking lot, let your eyes wander. You might find a stone worth keeping, or you might find a moment of peace.

Either way, you win!

Stay Sparkly!

– The jujujems Team ✨

Agate Beach in Grand Marais, Upper Peninsula of Michigan