Rock Identifier
Petrified Wood (Silicified Wood (SiO2)) — fossil
fossil

Petrified Wood

Silicified Wood (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from brown, tan, and grey to vibrant reds and yellows, waxy to vitreous luster, cryptocrystalline quartz structure.

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Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from brown, tan, and grey to vibrant reds and yellows, waxy to vitreous luster, cryptocrystalline quartz structure.

Formation & geological history

Formed when plant material is buried by sediment in an anaerobic environment and gradually replaced by minerals, primarily quartz, over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in ornamental carvings, jewelry, lapidary art, and as collector specimens.

Geological facts

The organic material of the tree is completely replaced by minerals while retaining the original cellular structure of the wood.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its wood-like grain and texture combined with a stone-like weight and hardness.

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