sedimentary
Petrified Wood
Silicified wood (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Colors range from brown and black to red and yellow. Exhibits a vitreous to waxy luster with preserved cellular wood structures.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Colors range from brown and black to red and yellow. Exhibits a vitreous to waxy luster with preserved cellular wood structures.
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization, where organic wood material is entirely replaced by minerals like quartz over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in lapidary arts, decorative items, jewelry, and prized by fossil and mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Famous occurrences include the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, dating back over 200 million years to the Triassic period.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinct wood grain patterns combined with a stony weight and high hardness that scratches glass. Found worldwide in ancient sedimentary deposits.
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