Natural Petrified wood slab

Petrified wood is a fossil formed when ancient plant material is buried in sediment and minerals (like silica or quartz) gradually replace organic matter. This preserves the wood's cellular structure and rings in stone over millions of years.Key Geological & Formation FactsThe Process: Known as permineralization, mineral-rich groundwater flows through the buried wood, replacing cell walls with inorganic crystals.Colors & Hues: Minerals dictate the color; iron oxides create reds and browns, while manganese yields blues, purples, and blacks.Hardness: Because it is primarily composed of quartz, petrified wood typically rates a 6 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.Age: Specimens found today mostly date from the Paleozoic to the Mesozoic Eras, ranging from 40 million to over 200 million years old.