fossil

Petrified Wood / Fossilized Bone

Silicified / Mineralized Fossil (Silica SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Brown, tan, dark grey, and reddish tones; Luster: Dull to earthy or slightly waxy; Texture: Fibrous structure with preserved cellular pattern, wood grain, or trabecular bone texture.

Hardness: 6
Color: Brown, tan, dark grey, and reddish tones
Luster: Dull to earthy or slightly waxy

Identified July 27, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when organic material (wood or bone) was buried rapidly under sediment or volcanic ash, protecting it from decay. Over millions of years, mineral-rich groundwater percolated through, replacing original organic matter with silicates such as quartz or chalcedony.

Uses & applications

Used for lapidary arts, decorative displays, jewelry making (cabochons), and educational or private fossil collections.

Geological facts

Petrified wood can preserve microscopic cellular structures down to individual plant cell walls. Some fossilized bone and wood specimens exhibit intense permineralization, making them extremely heavy and durable.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by checking for cellular/fibrous growth rings, woody grains, or porous interior matrix typical of fossil bone. Commonly found in sedimentary deposits, badlands, and ancient riverbeds. Value for basic field-collected pieces ranges from $5-$30 USD.

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Chert with Fossil Brachiopod

Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with Calcitic Brachiopod inclusion

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Fossiliferous Limestone

Fossiliferous Calcilutite / Biomicrite

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Fossilized Crinoid Stem in Limestone

Crinoidea (Class) in Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) matrix

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Fossiliferous Limestone

Limestone with embedded fossil cross-section

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