Petrified Wood (Juglans species)
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kevmin" title="User:Kevmin">Kevmin</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NamePetrified Wood (Juglans species)
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.65
Colorsdark brown, grey, tan, white, black
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityRattlesnake Hills, Yakima County, Washington, USA
Mineral GroupSilicates (Quartz)
Usesjewelry, ornamental objects, collector
Rarityuncommon
Description
A polished slice of petrified wood, likely from a Juglans (walnut) species, displaying distinct growth rings and a central cavity. The colors range from dark brown and black in the core to lighter greys and tans, with prominent white veins traversing the surface.
Geological Context
This specimen formed during the Miocene epoch when organic wood material was replaced by silica-rich solutions, preserving the original cellular structure. It is typically found in sedimentary deposits where volcanic ash or silica-rich groundwater was present.
