This is a fine specimen of petrified wood found in the area of Australia known as 'Chinchilla Red' because of its unique color and quality of preservation. This polished specimen shows a wide array of colorful red, brown, and tan hues and was hand collected in Queensland, Australia.
Petrified wood is the name given to a special type of fossilized remains of terrestrial vegetation. It is the result of a tree having turned completely into stone by the process of permineralization. All the organic materials have been replaced with minerals (mostly a silicate, such as quartz), while retaining the original structure of the wood. The petrifaction process occurs underground, when wood becomes buried under sediment and is initially preserved due to a lack of oxygen, which inhibits aerobic decomposition. Mineral-laden water flowing through the sediment deposits minerals in the plant's cells; as the plant's lignin and cellulose decay, a stone mold forms in its place. In general, wood takes less than 100 years to petrify. The organic matter needs to become petrified before it decomposes completely.
On the metaphysical level Petrified Wood is both grounding and inspiring. Working with it can nudge you to go boldly forward and reach for the sky, one step at a time.
Dimensions :
Length – 10.0 cm
Width – 7.0 cm
Height – 1.2 cm
