Polished Petrified Wood Fragment (Silicified/Jasperized Wood)
Indeterminate Gymnosperm (cf. Araucarioxylon sp. or similar extinct conifer wood) • Body fossil / Permineralized plant material (Plant fossil)
Geological Period
Triassic to Jurassic (or Late Carboniferous to Cretaceous depending on source deposit)
Estimated Age
150 - 225 million years old (typical range for colorful petrified wood formations)
Preservation Type
Silicification / Permineralization (chalcedony/jasper replacement of organic plant cellular structures)
Condition Assessment
Good (cut and polished specimen with clean planar fractures, deep color saturation, and smooth glossy finish)
Taxonomic Classification
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Pinopsida / Magnoliopsida (likely Gymnosperm wood)
Morphological Description
Blocky, polished chunk of permineralized woody tissue showing rich reddish-brown to deep crimson coloration, typical of iron-oxide silica replacement. Shows smooth vitreous polish surfaces along planar fracture edges with subtle original grain orientation.
Rock Matrix
No original surrounding matrix remains; the specimen itself consists entirely of chalcedony/jasperized microcrystalline quartz replacing organic wood matrix.
Formation & Location
Commonly found in red-bed formations such as the Chinle Formation (Petrified Forest Member, Arizona, USA), Madagascar petrified wood deposits, or Queensland, Australia.
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 3.0 - 4.5 cm in length/width (small tumble/lapidary polished chunk)
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$5 - $15 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $20 USD (typically sold in bulk specimen lots or as small gift shop specimens)
Rarity Assessment
Common (petrified wood of this size and mineral composition is abundantly available commercially worldwide)
Scientific Significance
Demonstrates the process of permineralization where organic carbon molecules are gradually replaced atom-by-atom with silica and iron oxide minerals, providing paleoenvironmental evidence of ancient terrestrial forest ecosystems and volcanic ash silica rich waters.
Preparation Recommendations
No further preparation required; store in a dry location and clean with soft dry cloth; keep away from harsh chemical solvents that might damage polished surfaces.
Notable Features
Rich reddish-brown jasper/iron oxide color tone with sharp polished facet faces showing conchoidal fracture patterns along the edge.