The facts
What petrified Wood actually is
Mineralogically, petrified Wood is chalcedony / opal replacing wood — SiO₂ (±nH₂O), crystallising in the trigonal (cryptocrystalline) system.
The colour is caused by iron, manganese and chromium oxides in the replacing silica; cell structure preserved. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.530–1.543, and the specific gravity sits near 2.50–2.70; cleavage is none.
Where petrified Wood comes from
The recognised sources are Petrified Forest, Arizona, USA (collecting prohibited in the park), Ambilobe, Madagascar and Java, Indonesia.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How petrified Wood is treated
Usually untreated; porous material is resin-stabilised and some is dyed. Collecting is legally restricted at several famous localities, so provenance paperwork matters.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What petrified Wood is confused with
The usual confusions are Jasper, Dyed chalcedony and Resin-cast imitations.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.530–1.543 and specific gravity 2.50–2.70 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What petrified Wood is used for
Petrified Wood is bought by carving and sculpture, architecture and interiors, decorative objects, mineral collecting and jewellery — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the block, by the square metre or by the piece.
Durability and care
Petrified Wood is 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, with none cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What petrified Wood costs
Indicative pricing for petrified Wood is $0.20–5/ct; feature slabs by the piece.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is petrified Wood treated, and how?
Usually untreated; porous material is resin-stabilised and some is dyed. Collecting is legally restricted at several famous localities, so provenance paperwork matters.
Where does petrified Wood come from?
Petrified Forest, Arizona, USA (collecting prohibited in the park), Ambilobe, Madagascar and Java, Indonesia. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is petrified Wood hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does petrified Wood cost?
Indicatively $0.20–5/ct; feature slabs by the piece. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is petrified Wood confused with?
Most often Jasper, Dyed chalcedony and Resin-cast imitations. A refractive index of 1.530–1.543 and a specific gravity near 2.50–2.70 separate it quickly.
What is petrified Wood used for besides jewellery?
carving and sculpture, architecture and interiors, decorative objects and mineral collecting. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for petrified wood?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about petrified wood