Petrified wood

Petrified wood is a fossilized material formed when ancient tree tissue is replaced by silica-rich minerals over millions of years, producing a stone that preserves the original grain and cellular structure of the wood. Classified as a mineraloid built primarily from chalcedony and quartz (SiO₂), it ranges in color from brown and tan to red, gold, cream, gray, and black depending on trace minerals present during fossilization. The specimens used in our jewelry show warm brown tones with reddish banding, opaque clarity, and a polished finish typical of cabochon-grade material.

Origin and Key Properties of Petrified Wood

Major deposits occur in Arizona (Petrified Forest National Park, where collection is prohibited but surrounding private lands supply lapidary material), Washington State, Oregon, Nevada, and Utah. International sources include Argentina's Patagonia region, Madagascar, Indonesia (Java and Sumatra produce highly silicified material), and Egypt. Most jewelry-grade rough on the US market comes from the American Southwest and Indonesia.

The stone registers 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, matching its parent quartz chemistry. Its hardness makes it suitable for rings, though the material can be brittle along internal fractures left by the original wood grain. Colors come from trace elements: iron oxides produce red and yellow, manganese creates pink and black, copper yields green and blue, and carbon produces black. Transparency is opaque. The chemical formula is essentially SiO₂ with minor impurities, and the specific gravity runs 2.6 to 2.7.

Treatments: most petrified wood sold for jewelry is untreated beyond cutting and polishing. Some lower-grade material is stabilized with resin or epoxy to fill voids and prevent chipping during setting. Dye is rarely used because natural mineral coloring already produces strong tones. We disclose stabilization when it applies to a specific piece.

Petrified Wood in Sterling Silver Jewelry

Cabochon is the standard cut for petrified wood because it displays the banded grain patterns that collectors buy the stone for. Freeform slabs, round cabs, and oval cabs are most common, and rough or slice-cut pendants appear for pieces that emphasize the wood-ring pattern. Faceting is uncommon since the material is opaque. Sterling silver (.925) suits the stone's earthy palette: the cool white metal frames the brown, red, and gold tones without competing with them, and silver bezels protect the edges where the stone is most likely to chip.

Our petrified wood jewelry generally runs $40 to $180, with rings and pendants on the lower end and larger statement cuffs or multi-stone pieces at the higher end. Each listing shows the actual stone you receive, since no two slices of petrified wood carry the same grain.

Care and Cleaning

Clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam, which can work into natural fractures and loosen stabilizing resin where present. Keep the stone away from bleach, chlorine, and abrasive polishes. Store separately in a soft pouch to prevent scratching from harder gems, and remove jewelry before heavy manual work to protect the stone from sharp impacts.

Frequently Asked Questions