What Is Petrified Wood

| Last modified on January 27th, 2022

Many people are not aware of the term “petrified wood”. The definition of petrified wood is the process of turning wood into stone. Unlike trees that grow today, petrified wood is fossilized because it underwent a chemical change in which its cellular structure was replaced with minerals. 

Petrification happens when water containing silica and minerals penetrates the tree’s cell walls and replaces the water with different elements or compounds like quartz. These new elements make the cells harden over time, thus turning them to stone and making them petrified wood!

What Is Petrified Wood

Petrified wood can range from being very dense with an almost new-looking grain to a more worn-down version of what it originally would have been. When petrified wood is fresh its color is usually dark brown but leaves an orange tint when scratched. Weathered petrified wood has lost its original color and will be a light brown or grey-brown shade.

Petrified Wood Types

There are many different types of petrified wood. Each type has different characteristics. Some petrified wood will have a very detailed grain like that of the original tree and other petrified wood is more glassy and looks like someone had poured liquid stone into the cracks.

Petrified Wood Types

The type of petrified wood most commonly bought is agate petrified wood, which is usually purchased in the form of a slab, sometimes with a polished finish, and other times left natural. These can range from only a few inches to as much as thirty feet in size.

When purchasing these types of petrified wood be sure to purchase from a reputable company that sells petrified wood for its unique purposes such as jewelry making, woodworking, or country decorating.

How Does Petrified Wood Form?

Petrified Wood is the result of a natural process. Something happened to a living tree that caused it to turn to stone. Usually, the cause of this change is by the interaction between solutions – as water moves through rocks and minerals that it has been transported through, causes them to expand and contract until they fracture and turn into stone.

Benefits Of Petrified Wood

Petrified wood is an inexpensive but beautiful addition to any home that adds flair, gives a sense of history, and brings out the collector’s instinct in all of us. Petrified wood is very sturdy but soft enough for jewelry making if it is a type of wood that can be polished and carved into. It can also be used in tabletops, as planters, or just to add color to an area by placing alongside other decors such as rocks or statues of animals.

Benefits Of Petrified Wood

Petrified wood also makes an excellent gift for all ages. This is just a small list of the many ways these unique pieces of wood have been used. There are many different types of petrified wood. Each type has different characteristics. Some will have a very detailed grain like that of the original three, and others will be more glassy and look like someone had poured liquid stone into the cracks or may have pockmarks.

Artificial Petrified Wood

It was originally thought that one of the best ways to get an idea of how petrified wood changed from its original form to how it is now would be to go out and collect some. But nowadays, it has now been discovered that there are ways to create petrified wood in the lab artificially.

Artificial Petrified Wood

One way is by using a white mineral called Kyanite. This mineral is very similar chemically to the mineral found in petrified wood and can therefore be used to substitute for the natural minerals found in petrified wood. Quartz, silica, and feldspar will help create this type of artificial petrified wood, which looks just like real petrified wood, though they will not turn all colors.

FAQ

How Long Does It Take For Wood To Become Petrified?

It depends on the circumstances. In the case of wood that’s been buried in mud deposits, for example, it can take as long as 10 million years. That being said, there are some things you can do to expedite the petrification process – such as soaking your logs for a week in a salt-water solution and then burying them underground at least two feet below the surface for at least three months.

Is Petrified Wood Valuable?

Yes! Huge numbers of people worldwide are interested in buying woods for many reasons, including their beauty or association with periods. This is why you should think about selling your specimen if you find it in your home or garage.

Is Petrified Wood A Rock?

Petrified Wood is wood that has been turned to stone over time through permineralization. The result is a solid, hard piece of coal with an organic tree-like structure inside.

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