The Charm of Fossil Wood or Petrified Wood: A Stone with a Long History

Genesis of fossil wood and physical characteristics

Fossil wood, with its unique characteristics, much like a photograph, allows us to learn more about the geological history of our planet.

Its formation process begins when plant material, such as branches and tree trunks, becomes completely covered by sediment, thus protected from decomposition caused by oxygen and organisms. Subsequently, groundwater containing dissolved minerals seeps into these sediments, which can be sand, silt, and clay. Over time, the wood is replaced by other minerals such as silica, calcite, or pyrite.

As a result, it is a fossil of woody material that perfectly preserves all its characteristics. These stones are highly sought after among collectors because different specimens can also show fascinating details such as bark or even cellular structures.

Among the many fossilization processes discovered so far, the most common is burial, which can be caused by meteorological factors such as floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions with ash emissions, and tsunamis.

The gemological characteristics of silicified fossil wood, which stands out in the gemological field, are essentially the same as chalcedony, distinguished by a hardness of 6.5-7, an average refractive index of 1.53, and a specific gravity of 2.60.

Price and value of fossil wood

Fossil wood is a fairly common mineral on the Earth's crust. This makes it available on the market at more affordable prices than other minerals that are available in limited quantities. As with all gems, the value of fossil wood is determined by various factors including quality, size, and weight. Another important factor in estimating the price of fossil wood is the type of cut or the method of processing that experts decide to use. This is why the role of carvers is very important; if they do a skilled job, they can exponentially increase prices.

Fossil wood is a highly sought-after material among collectors and enthusiasts of unusual objects who are willing to invest significant amounts to own pieces of real history.

Colors of petrified wood

Fossil wood or petrified wood, perfectly preserving all the characteristics of the original material, faithfully retains all its colors, offering a wide range of chromatic shades.

In fossil wood specimens, you can admire various shades of brown, ivory, ochre yellow, gray, but also red, black, and white that blend together, creating sometimes very suggestive patterns. The coloration depends mainly on the presence of minerals including iron and manganese.

These colors, appearing indiscriminately in each specimen, tell the long evolution of fossil wood over millennia.

The different cutting styles of fossil wood

Various cutting styles are chosen for fossil wood, among which the cabochon is particularly favored as it enhances the visibility of the original wood's designs.

Fossil wood is frequently used to create home decor accents or original design pieces. When specimens are preserved in perfect condition, even retaining the wood bark, they are often left as raw as possible to showcase their natural state. Alternatively, when more detailed aspects are appreciated, they are cut into slices. In these cases, fossil wood specimens are considered as genuine home decor accents or original design pieces used in various contexts to beautify spaces and environments.

However, it's not uncommon for fossil wood to be cut into smooth or faceted spheres, subsequently drilled to create refined jewelry. Other pieces are shaped to be integrated into highly specific goldsmith works.

Finally, some pieces of fossil wood are even carved or engraved. Fossil wood is thus a very versatile stone that, thanks to its unique characteristics and history, is able to fascinate everyone.

Not only fossil wood jewelry...

For lovers of neutral colors and enthusiasts of unique elements, fossil wood offers the perfect combination, bringing elegance and history onto the same stage.

Fossil wood has always fascinated everyone because it's truly exciting to observe a stone with the awareness that millions and millions of years ago, the material was completely different. Being able to hold a fossil stone of any kind in your hands gives incredible emotions.

Following the wave of these emotions, we have added a wide and rich selection of natural speciment fossil wood to our online catalog, available in all possible shapes and forms.

Incredible sculptures, pieces, or slices of fossil wood can give anyone the opportunity to adorn or furnish homes and offices with highly original and unique elements.

In the section of fossil wood jewelry, you can acquire not only simple necklaces, earrings, or bracelets, but actual relics from the past that can perfectly complement any look.

Moreover, with our fossil wood strands, we provide everyone with the opportunity to create or design the jewelry or ornaments of their dreams. In this regard, we also suggest exploring our DIY section, where you can find every type of accessory and tool necessary for any crafting!

Curiosities, origins, and uses of fossil wood in crystal therapy

As mentioned earlier, fossil wood is not so rare to find and is typically found in marine or terrestrial sediments, especially in areas where entire forests have been buried by river deposits. These petrified forests are mainly located in the USA, Argentina, China, Greece, Madagascar, Italy, and numerous other secondary geographical areas.

Many people involved in crystal therapy hold fossil wood in high regard because they believe it can bring benefits to the body and mind, providing stability and grounding.

Many pieces of fossil wood have allowed experts to accurately determine the environment in which the trees originally developed, as well as their history, making them true elements for determining geological epochs.

In large, well-preserved specimens of fossil wood, it is even possible to admire not only perfectly preserved original elements such as the bark itself but also all the tree rings and the presence of any animal footprints.

Cleaning and care of silicified wood

The fact that fossil wood is not too fragile does not mean it should not be cared for. To ensure a stone lasts forever, it is important to give it the right care and attention. Often, following a few simple tips can yield excellent results.

We recommend performing a gentle cleaning from time to time using a soft cloth, depending on the needs, simply passing it over the surface of the fossil wood to be cleaned. Sometimes, it may be necessary to dampen the cloth with water, ensuring it is well wrung out before use.

However, we advise against using any kind of products or detergents that could contain aggressive substances that may irreparably damage the fossil wood specimen. When in doubt, it is always best to consult an expert.

In conclusion, fossil wood is a mineral that finds great acceptance among people for its history, characteristics, and because it offers the possibility of wearing something truly original in jewelry!

Discover the entire collection of fossil wood by Lineagem.