This article introduces you to the beauty that fossil wood possesses. Undeniably, fossil wood is recognized as a gem in itself. Let us walk you through the beauty of petrified wood, or fossil wood specimens.

Fossil wood is petrified wood. It forms when plant species are buried and protected by sediment from possible decay because of organisms and oxygen. Also, the groundwater rich in dissolved solids runs through the sediment, replacing the original plant material with pyrite, calcite, silica or another inorganic gem like opal. The product is a fossil of the original woody component that sometimes showcases preserved detailed of the wood, bark and other cellular wood structures.

Several specimens of petrified wood are precise preservation that people do not comprehend they are fossil woods until they get a hold of them and are amazed by their weight. These samplings with almost perfect preservation are extraordinary; but, samples that showcases pure recognizable woody structures and bark are very usual.

Fossil woods are woods that tuned to stone wood. Petrified wood, is a term used for fossilized wood. This originated from the latin word ‘petro” which means “stone” or “rock”. Incorporated with wood, this term specifically means “rock wood”. When a tree dies, it can proceed through a fossilization process more commonly known as permineralization. Verily, this simply means that when the tree dies, it is transformed in to a stone because of minimal amount of mineral deposits, filling the cells of the organism. Minerals from lakes, oceans, or ground water seeps in to the pores of the organic tissues and store deposits, slowly accumulating crystals over the wood. This method continues on the inner surface of the walls until such time that the central cavity of the cell is all filled up. This method is more commonly known as petrification.

Petrification, specifically happen underground, as the plant dies and is wrapped by volcanic ash, soil, or any other sediment. If the ground where the trees are located has abundant deposit of water in it, the word is secured from oxygen. Decomposition needs oxygen, and without the presence of oxygen, petrification is prevalent and present. This can occur efficiently because the water is already present underground. It seeps through the organic matter and signifies the emergence of petrification. When this thing happens in thickly wooded location like forests, it will now be termed as petrified forest.

Basically, there are a lot of petrified forests around the globe. There are about more than ten in the United States alone. The petrified Forest Nation Park located in Northeast Arizona is a perfect example. It is basically the biggest area with fossil wood components. Specimens of fossil woods from this location are extremely prized because of their fine grain and color of the rock when polished. Gathering fossil fuel specimens in the park is not legal but you know, the area with fossil wood is much larger as compared to the park.

The next part will focus mainly on the history and discovery of fossil wood, and how it will affect the world in its entirety.

Now let’s walk you through the history of fossil wood, its discovery and its contribution to the industry at large. The history of fossil wood is quite rich in information and the wonder it brings to the world is quite of a magical, if not extravagant thing.

Specifically, about two hundred twenty-five (225) million years ago, the world was simply covered with an enormous coniferous tree which stood up to nine (9) feet and is considered dense forests. The trees that time possesses a diameter of at least nine (9) feet and two hundred (200) feet in height. A lot of natural activities and occurrences like volcanic eruptions, storms, floods and other fortuitous events happened millions of years ago. When the trees fell, they were somehow buried by the river sediments. Then, the process of petrification will follow. The ash coming from several volcanic eruption where extremely high in silica content and some other minerals. Those are the primary ingredients in transforming the regular wood into a fossil wood; it is called petrification.

And because it occurred millions of years ago, all the events happened naturally without the intervention of man. Meaning, that the process and the transformation of the plants on becoming fossil wood are all natural. That’s the beauty of it. It is mother earth who is responsible for the process, and no other else.

Fossil wood for people. Fossil wood, or petrified wood can also be enjoyed right at your doorstep. It can be cut in to different shapes and pieces and used as ornaments or jewelries as part of the fossil wood collection. The color and quality of the petrified wood specifically depends on the class of minerals embedded and incorporated in the wood that petrify it.

Say for example, extreme incorporation of silicate components, which are the most common minerals in this method are transparent, or should we say, colorless. But, minerals like iron, manganese and copper can give a wide array of shades and hues. Listed below are some examples of several types of mineral components as well as the color they will yield:

·         Chromium, copper and cobalt will give a blue-green textured color.

·         Iron oxides will showcase a yellow to red-brown color.

·         Manganese Oxides will carry yellow to black type of color combination.

·         Manganese will carry a shade of pink to orange.

·         Silicate dioxides are transparent white to translucent gray color.

·         And of course, Carbon will give you a deep black color.

No matter what mineral components are incorporated in the petrified wood, they are extravagant in their own way. The inherence of the process makes these fossil wood more special and valued in the industry. At the end of the day, fossil wood makes an ordinary wood, extraordinary. It increases the value and it aesthetically enhances the appearance of it that can be surely used in interior design and even simply for collection. Truly indeed, the world is full of unique discoveries, we just have to be mindful of what the world is giving us.

Our friends of Petrified Woods Company are dealing with this extraordinary material creating masterpiece that will last forever.