Geological Profile
Material Type: Fossilised organic material (not a mineral but often treated like one)
Scientific Name: Petrified Wood
Process: Permineralisation – organic matter is replaced with silica or other minerals over time
Common Mineral Content: Quartz (most commonly), but may also contain calcite, jasper, opal, or agate
Hardness: Typically 6.5 – 7 (Mohs Scale)
Appearance: Preserves the texture and grain of the original wood, often with rich bands of brown, red, yellow, grey, or cream depending on the minerals involved
Common Sources:
Fossilised wood is found globally, with notable deposits in Indonesia, USA (Arizona and Oregon), Madagascar, Australia, and Argentina. Each region produces distinct colouration and preservation based on local minerals and conditions.
Formation:
Fossilised wood forms over millions of years when trees are buried by sediment and protected from decay. Groundwater rich in silica flows through, replacing organic material with stone while retaining the structure of the original tree. The process can take over 100 million years.
Interesting Fact:
Despite its appearance, Fossilised Wood is not “wood” anymore — it's stone that has completely replaced organic material. Some specimens still show detailed bark, growth rings, and even insect boreholes.
Metaphysical Insight
Fossilised Wood is deeply grounding and stabilising. It carries the quiet, enduring energy of ancient Earth — offering perspective, patience, and a strong connection to the natural world. It is ideal for those working with ancestral healing, root chakra alignment, or long-term personal growth.
Energy Associations
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Chakras: Root
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Zodiac Signs: Virgo, Leo
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Element: Earth
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Planetary Influence: Saturn
Emotional & Spiritual Benefits
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Grounds and stabilises scattered or anxious energy
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Encourages patience, persistence, and long-term growth
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Supports ancestral connection and earth-based spiritual work
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Helps integrate past life lessons and karmic healing
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Aids those feeling unrooted, overwhelmed, or in transition
Common Uses
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Kept in sacred spaces to stabilise energy and promote calm
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Used in ancestral or Earth-honouring rituals
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Carried as a reminder of resilience and strength
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Placed on the Root Chakra in meditation or body layouts
Affirmation:
"I am rooted in ancient wisdom and growing with strength and grace."
Varieties of Fossilised Wood
Indonesian Petrified Wood:
Often polished into slabs or freeforms, known for bold contrast between dark brown and cream, and sometimes metallic inclusions from volcanic activity.
Arizona Petrified Wood:
Highly colourful, with rich reds, yellows, and purples due to iron and manganese content. Popular in raw and cut forms.
Jasperised Wood:
A form where the wood has fossilised into jasper rather than quartz, producing vivid colours and patterns.
Disclaimer
Crystals are a natural form from the earth. The item you receive may be different from the exact image you see. Crystals have their own imperfections, shapes and colours and no two pieces are identical. All crystal properties are metaphysical in nature and they can be used alongside but not replace medical advice.
Further Reading:
1. https://www.britannica.com/science/petrified-wood
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrified_wood
3. https://www.kaltimber.com/blog/2020/1/13/fossil-wood-a-gem-in-itself