fossil
Petrified Wood
Silicified Wood (SiO2)
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Tan, brown, and cream with iron oxide staining (orange/red). Luster: Waxy to dull. Structure: Replaces organic cellular structure with microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony).
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Tan, brown, and cream with iron oxide staining (orange/red)
- Luster
- Waxy to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Tan, brown, and cream with iron oxide staining (orange/red). Luster: Waxy to dull. Structure: Replaces organic cellular structure with microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony).
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization over millions of years (often Triassic to Eocene). Trees are buried in sediment/ash; mineral-rich groundwater replaces organic matter with silica while preserving original wood grain.
Uses & applications
Home decor, lapidary arts (polishing/cabbing), jewelry, and geological collecting.
Geological facts
Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park contains some of the world's most famous specimens; entire landscapes can be formed from fossilized forests.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for distinct wood grain, bark textures, or tree ring patterns preserved in stone. Common in areas with historical volcanic activity and sedimentary basins.
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