Petrified wood
Petrified wood is a fossil in which silica in groundwater has replaced the original fibers of a tree, maintaining their structure. It is also known as silicified wood, wood stone, or fossil wood. In Japanese, it is referred to as mokuseki (wood stone) or mokkaseki (petrified wood).
Petrified wood retaining a beautiful grain pattern
Basic Information
| English Name | Petrified wood |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | Keikaboku (Petrified wood) |
| Chemical Formula | SiO2 |
| Classification | Amorphous to Crystalline |
| Hardness | 6–7 |
| Specific Gravity | Around 2.6 |
| Transparency | Opaque |
Features & Variations
- Silicification Process: Silica in groundwater replaces the wood, preserving its original fibrous structure.
- Jasperized Wood: Includes Toki stones, petrified wood from Arizona, etc.
- Opalized Wood: Where only the outer shape of the tree remains, with chalcedony or agate forming within the cavities.
- Crystal Wood: A rare, colorless, and nearly transparent type.
Origins, Aliases, Treatments, & Similar Stones
Primary Origins: Arizona, and various fossil sites worldwide.
Aliases: Silicified wood, wood stone, fossil wood, mokuseki, mokkaseki.
Treatments: Dyeing (for highly porous pieces), impregnation (using resin to fill pores).
Similar Stones: Rhyolite (where flow lines resemble wood grain), Zebra stone, Boulder opal
Note: Sometimes called lithoxyle or lithoxylite; the term "petrified wood" is specifically applied to specimens with a clearly visible grain.