Rare Araucaria (Conifer) Amarillo Petrified Wood

3.48 oz / 98.66 gr

If you've ever worked with lumber or firewood, you have probably seen a piece of knot wood. This is that, only it is approximately 170 million years old. It shows the vibrant color and detail typical of Amarillo Petrified Wood.

CAUTION: This piece has a very sharp edge, and will slice you if you don't pay attention when handling. Use of PPE while handling is recommended from experience, if you purchase this specimen.

About Amarillo Petrified Wood

Araucaria is a genus of evergreen coniferous trees found primarily in the southern hemisphere today. During the late Jurassic and early Triassic periods Araucaria had a global presence.

This Araucaria petrified wood is found in the Dockum formation near Amarillo, Texas, and ages to the upper Triassic period. The characteristics that make Amarillo Petrified Wood a desirable collectible, are vivid colors, cellular detail in some samples, and the fact that they are 3D fossils that connect us to a time long past.

Araucaria Amarillo Petrified Wood is formed through a process called permineralization. Here's a simplified breakdown of how it happens:

1. Burial: A tree, in this case an Araucaria, dies and falls to the ground. Over time, it becomes buried under layers of sediment, such as mud, sand, or volcanic ash.
2. Mineral-Rich Water: Groundwater, which contains dissolved minerals like silica, flows through the buried wood.
3. Mineral Deposition: As the water moves through the wood, the minerals begin to fill in the empty spaces within the plant cells. This process is called permineralization.
4. Petrification: Over millions of years, the original organic material of the wood is gradually replaced by minerals. The resulting stone retains the original shape and structure of the wood, including growth rings and sometimes even cellular details.

The specific minerals involved and the conditions of burial can influence the color and appearance of the petrified wood. In the case of Araucaria Amarillo Petrified Wood, the minerals present often give it a range of colors, from browns and reds to yellows and even greens.