fossil

Petrified wood (possible)

Silicified wood; commonly quartz or chalcedony replacing wood

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, rough brown-and-tan specimen with a wood-like shape and mottled surface. If petrified wood, hardness is about 6.5–7 Mohs, luster dull to waxy, and the silica has a trigonal or microcrystalline structure; the photo is insufficient to confirm wood grain or composition.

Identified September 29, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when buried wood is mineralized as silica-rich groundwater replaces or fills its tissues. Petrified wood occurs in deposits of many geological ages, from the Triassic onward.

Uses & applications

Collected as a fossil; larger pieces may be polished for ornaments, bookends, or display.

Geological facts

Silicification can preserve growth rings and cellular details, sometimes at microscopic scale.

Field identification & locations

Look for recognizable grain, growth rings, or cellular patterns and a stone-like weight; similar brown shapes may be ordinary rocks. Petrified wood occurs worldwide, notably in the western United States. Estimated value: about $1–$10 for a small common rough piece.