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

Petrified Wood

Silicified Wood (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, varied earthy or vibrant colors, vitreous to dull luster, cryptocrystalline quartz structure.

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Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, varied earthy or vibrant colors, vitreous to dull luster, cryptocrystalline quartz structure.

Formation & geological history

Formed when buried organic wood is slowly replaced by minerals like silica, typically in ancient aquatic or volcanic environments over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used for ornamental carvings, high-end decorative tabletops, jewelry, and prized by fossil and mineral collectors.

Geological facts

The complete organic material is entirely replaced by minerals while preserving the original cellular structure of the tree.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its preserved wood grain patterns combined with high hardness and conchoidal fracture typical of quartz; found globally in sedimentary and volcanic deposits.