Pertified Wood

It occurs when trees fall and get buried by layers and layers of earth and sediment which compact down and seal the timber off from oxygen thereby protecting it from decay. When mineral rich water flows slowly through the sediment it replaces the original organic material with inorganic minerals such as silica.

This results in a material that looks ‘woody’ in appearance but is hard and cold like stone to the touch.It can be found in huge slabs big enough for table tops but is most often seen cut into slices or used for carvings. The typical colours are varying shades of brown, grey and deep orangey red with green/blues and pinks more rare, all colours are dependent on the differing mineral content of the water.  Areas of petrified forest can be found across the globe from America to India and Argentina to New Zealand. 

Description: Petrified Wood is not, as its name might suggest, terrified but rather it is wood that has been fossilized over millions of years! It is found all over the world.

Hardness: 7 – 8 on Mohs Scale