Petrified Wood Necklace - GP274

Item Description
 
 
Agatized Petrified Wood Gemstone
.925 Sterling Silver
Setting Measures 3" L x 1.25" W
24" Handmade Sterling Silver Chain
Handmade in personal studio
 
Agatized petrified wood is a rare and precious variety of gemstone that is formed through a natural process of mineralization. It is also known as fossilized wood, or petrified wood, because it is a type of fossil that is composed of wood that has been gradually replaced by silica, or more specifically, chalcedony.
 
Agatized petrified wood is found in a variety of different colors, ranging from shades of brown and red to orange, yellow, and even blue. The color of the stone is determined by the minerals that are present in the surrounding soil or rock at the time it was formed.
 
Although agatized petrified wood is a form of fossilized wood, it is not a living organism, and therefore does not exhibit any biological functions or properties. Instead, the stone is valued for its unique and beautiful appearance, as well as its rarity and historical significance.
 
Agatized petrified wood is believed to have formed millions of years ago, during the late Triassic period, when large forests covered much of what is now the western United States. Over time, these forests were buried under layers of sediment and volcanic ash, which caused the trees to become buried and compressed.
 
Through a process known as petrification, the wood was gradually replaced by minerals, which created the fossilized stone we know today as agatized petrified wood. This process can take many thousands of years, and the result is a stone that is incredibly hard and durable, making it an ideal material for a wide range of decorative and practical applications.