sedimentary
Petrified Wood
Silicified Wood (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, waxy to vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure, and coloration ranges from tan and brown to multicolored based on trace minerals.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, waxy to vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure, and coloration ranges from tan and brown to multicolored based on trace minerals.
Formation & geological history
Formed via permineralization when buried organic wood is slowly replaced by silica-rich groundwater over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary arts, ornamental carvings, high-end decorative objects, and as a popular collector specimen.
Geological facts
The fossilization process preserves the original cellular structure of the ancient wood down to microscopic details.
Field identification & locations
Identified by visible growth rings or wood grain patterns combined with high hardness and conchoidal fracture. Commonly found in areas with ancient volcanic activity and river sediment basins.
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