Petrified Wood Meaning and Properties

Petrified Wood Metaphysical Properties

Many believe in the use of petrified wood in assisting with atrophied muscles and vulnerable skeletal structures by stabilizing the body’s defenses. It is thought to promote balance and calmness, allowing the body to heal in a relaxed, de-stressed environment. As a product of once living material, the gemstone is often viewed as a sacred representation of humankind's connection to the universe. Just as the stone undergoes a dramatic transformation, petrified wood encourages openness to personal transformations as well. Regardless of metaphysical beliefs, the stone can be a representation or reminder to embrace change and/or uncomfortable feelings on your journey to new beginnings.

Petrified Wood Geological Properties

From the Latin word petro meaning "rock" or "stone", the name petrified wood translates to "wood turned to stone." During the process of petrification, plant debris is covered with sediment material. This sediment protects the debris from decaying under environmental stressors such as oxygen, rain-water, animals, bacteria, etc. Over time, the build-up of sedimentary material begins to harden around the plant material. Eventually, ground water that is saturated in dissolved rock material flows through the sediment and the plant material is replaced with minerals such as silicate. This process creates a fossilization of the wooden material at the microscopic level and mineral replacement resulting in the appearance of wood, tree rings, and other recognizable wood features known as petrified wood. The mineralized replacement is most often a quartz chalcedony. Most commonly found forms of petrified wood are gray and/or brown in color. Although, rarer varieties are seen to preserve exotic minerals with a green or red hue. Petrified wood is frequently sourced from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada and China.