Large Petrified Wood Parker, Colorado

Wild patterns and deep contrast abound on this lovely piece of Petrified Wood, from Parker, Colorado. Dated at approx. 55 million years old, this Petrified Wood is considered a variety of “Shrink wood”. This is a result of the natural fracturing and shrinking of the original wood, allowing the fractures to infill with minerals such as silica (quartz) and agate during the permineralization process, creating a beautiful mosaic pattern.

A small drusy Quartz crystal pocket can be seen on the front of the specimen with sparkling mini crystals inside.

This specimen features a cut and polished front, with the a flat-cut back and base allowing  this specimen to self-stand. The sides have been left in their raw and natural condition.

Petrified wood forms when a tree falls and is rapidly buried by sediment such as volcanic ash or river sediments. This creates a reduced oxygen environment (anaerobic) which halts the usual decay process. Minerals carried through the flow of water and absorbed into the tree slowly began to replace the organic material and crystallize. Over hundreds and thousands of years this crystallization took place hardening into stone. Composed mostly of silica (quartz), small concentrations of other elements including iron, carbon and manganese created the rich color variations seen here.

Approx. 9.5" H x 6" W x 1.5" Deep

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