Just a Small Lapidary Shop

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Just a small lapidary shop called BJs

We are a small retail business.  We have been in business since the 1960's when we started out in Harbor Springs, Michigan.  We moved to the Upper Peninsula 6 years ago and are just loving it.  We have a little shop that is open in the summer time in the little town of Trout Lake. 

We do several lapidary (gem and mineral) shows each year.  

We specialize in Petoskey stones, Lake Superior Agates and many other minerals.  We also sell some collectibles and antiques.  

I love to do Watercolors and have studied under Helga Flower of Sault Ste Marie.  She is a wonderful teacher.

I just recently became interested in carving soapstone and think it is something that I want to pursue further.   

Why collect rocks 

Many a person may ask, Why collect Rocks? All they do is sit and collect dust! We collect them for their beauty. Have ever stopped and looked at a rock. Even an ugly one will have something unusual about it. Just think when you pick that rock up, chances are it's several hundred thousand years old. Take the Petoskey Stone, it's a fossil coral. When you pick them up when they are dry, they look like an ugly rock. Spit on it or wet it and you can see the "Eyes" that are its character. Then polish it and the beauty comes out. Every one is different. Some have dark eyes, some light, some soft and some are harder. They make beautiful jewelry too. Perhaps a paperweight for your bosses desk.
So in a nut shell, that's why we collect rocks. Sure they sit around and collect dust, but when you pick it up and dust it off, all that beauty comes back. You perhaps remember just when you found that rock and where.

In business for over 40 years 

BJ's Lapidary

It all started when we found a Petoskey stone back in the 1960's. Can you believe that! We started out polishing Petoskey stones by hand. Eventually got saws and grinders. And it went from there.

Michigan Gem & Mineral Society Gem & Rock Show - March 2010

March 19th, 20th and 21st, 2010
Jackson county Fair Grounds, Fair Event Center
200 West Ganson Street
Jackson, Mi.

Gem and Mineral Shows - Fall 2009

Tulip City Gem and Mineral Club Show
Civic Center
Holland, Michigan
Show dates: Sept. 18, 19 and 20, 2009

Michigan Mineralogical Society Show
Greater Detroit Gem Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show
Gibraltor Expo Center
Mt. Clemens, Michigan
Show dates: Oct. 9, 10 and 11, 2009

Flint Rock and Gem Club Show
Carter Middle School
Clio, Michigan
Show dates: Oct. 17 and 18, 2009

Central Michigan Lapidary and Mineral Society Show
Main Arena, Ingham Co., Fairgrounds,
Mason, Michigan

Petoskey stones 

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Lapidary supplies tumbling grit polish 

You will find many lapidary related items.

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Michigan postcards 

Many Michigan postcards

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Learn how to polish your stones 

This lens explains how to tumble polish your stones. Take a look.
How to polish stones
Step by step process to tumbling your stones.

watercolor aceos 

Check out my new adventure in ACEOS. What a fun.

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Come and check out my blog 

Come in and see what we like and dislike. What we do with our time in the Upper Peninsula.
upnorthartist
Come see what some of our interests are. We will be adding to this from time to time.

Greenstones - Michigan Gem Stone 

Greenstones
See some of the nicest Greenstones, chlorastrolite, that are out there.

What's it like in Trout Lake Today! 

Current weather conditions in Trout Lake, MI (49793)

Local Pollen Reports

61°F (Feels like 61°F)

Last update: 11/7/09 3:55 PM EST

Humidity: 48%
Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 41°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 29.72in rising
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 10mph From: Airport Conditions
powered by weather.com

Tonight


Low
Low: 40°F
Sunrise: 7:30 AM
Sunset: 5:17 PM
 

Sunday
Nov 8 


N/A
High: 55°F
Low: 45°F
Sunrise: 7:32 AM
Sunset: 5:16 PM

Monday
Nov 9 


Mostly Sunny
High: 50°F
Low: 40°F
Sunrise: 7:33 AM
Sunset: 5:15 PM

Tuesday
Nov 10 


Showers
High: 45°F
Low: 34°F
Sunrise: 7:35 AM
Sunset: 5:13 PM

Some good books on rocks and minerals and more. 

Beach Stones by Josie Iselin, Margaret Carruthers

Beach Stones by Josie Iselin, Margaret Carruthers

Walking along the water's edge, who among us has n more...0 points

Let's Go Rock Collecting (Let'S-Read-And-Find-Out Science. Stage 2) by Roma Gans

Let's Go Rock Collecting (Let'S-Read-And-Find-Out Science. Stage 2) by Roma Gans

Holly Keller has created vivacious new paintings f more...0 points

Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious more...0 points

Please do let us know you were here. Also click on the middle stars to give us a rating. 

bjslapidary wrote...

in reply to Melva Dickson
Next June. Usually the same weekend.

ReplyPosted July 06, 2009

Lensmaster

Melva Dickson wrote

I missed you show in Wauseon this year. When are you coming back to Wauseon? Please let me know.

Reply Posted June 24, 2009

Lensmaster

Deanna wrote

Very interesting things you have on here. Keep up the good work.

Reply Posted March 08, 2009

Sara_Valor wrote...

I just love crystals/rocks! I have a nice little collection of them. I started my children a collection of their own and sew up a few crystal sacks for them to carry them in. Great Lens! Must be wonderful to work in a lapidary! Happy Holidays!

ReplyPosted December 13, 2008

Sara_Valor wrote...

I just love crystals/rocks! I have a nice little collection of them. I started my children a collection of their own and sew up a few crystal sacks for them to carry them in. Great Lens! Must be wonderful to work in a lapidary! Happy Holidays!

ReplyPosted December 13, 2008

view all 24 comments

Search the shores of Lake Superior for Agates 

Two Hearted River Upper Peninsula Michigan

Many people search the shores of Lake Superior for the elusive agate. Some wait for the warmth of summer to walk the shores and others brave the cold winds on early spring and maybe even January to see if they can come up with the big one. After searching all day, they may have found a "big" agate, but more than likely it will be a few small ones.
Many people just come back with some pretty beach stones, which they are happy to tumble in their tumblers.

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Is This an Agate?

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by bjslapidary

Hello world. I'm new at this.  My husband and I have a little lapidary business in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  We sell minerals and la...

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