sedimentary
Petrified Wood
Silicified wood (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to waxy luster, amorphous crystal structure, and exhibits conchoidal fracture with preserved cellular wood patterns.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to waxy luster, amorphous crystal structure, and exhibits conchoidal fracture with preserved cellular wood patterns.
Formation & geological history
Formed through permineralization when buried organic wood is slowly replaced by silica-rich groundwater over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary arts, decorative carvings, custom jewelry, and as collector display specimens.
Geological facts
Famous occurrences include the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, featuring logs dating back over 200 million years to the Triassic period.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinct tree-ring or wood-grain textures combined with quartz-like hardness, commonly found in sedimentary strata worldwide.
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