When he uses his petrifaction gauntlet and touches his target, Ishidate activates the process. The eye on his gauntlet will open and send chemicals through the target's body. The body will then turn into stone. If treated with medical ninjutsu the body can get back to normal. If the body remains in this stone form for too long though, it will stay stone forever
The petrifaction gauntlet can also be used to manipulate other stone. Ishidate can grab chunks of stone and then strike them with the gauntlet. While in the air the stone will then split into numerous sharp daggers.