Leland Blue & March 13th National Jewelry Day

Established in 1946, Grandpa Shorter’s has always carried a wide range of fun, beautiful and unique gift items. Throughout the years we’ve carried tried and true brands such as Minnetonka moccasins and gorgeous Petoskey Stones. Jewelry aficionados have come to love Grandpa Shorter’s selection of unique Petoskey Stone and Leland Blue jewelry available through Grandpa Shorter’s in-store and online.

If you love Petoskey Stones, Leland Blue Stones are another beautiful and unique stone found only here in Northern Michigan. Grandpa Shorter’s Carries a wide variety of beautiful and unique Leland Blue jewelry pieces in store and online. Like Petoskey Stones, Leland Blue Stones also vary in size, shape and color.

The history of Leland Blue dates back as far as 1885 in the town of Leland. Located on the Leelanau Peninsula 25-30 miles north of Traverse City on the on the peninsula north of Traverse City. Leland was an industrial town during the late 1800’s that made it’s money in smelting. Although it didn’t last long in the community because of it’s high cost leftover waste, called slag was dumped into Leland’s harbor. When the slag cooled, what remained was a beautiful stone made from a combination of blue glass and other chemicals leftover from the smelting process. The result was gorgeous Leland Blue stones in varying shades of blue, grey, light purple and even green. Like Petoskey Stones, Leland Blue Stones can be found on the shores of Leland’s beaches. Throughout the year rock hunters can be found searching the shores for Leland Blue Stones.

In recent years, Leland Blue itself has become a way of life for some Northern Michigan locals. Finding the unique Leland Blue stones, polishing them and then fashioning them into beautiful jewelry pieces are what makes them so special and Grandpa Shorter’s can help you find the perfect piece to add to your Leland Blue collection!