Wood opals, are often confused  with  petrified woods, In our area is common to  find Wood opal, It is literally wood like ordinary wood axcept much more older than ordinary wood, in matters of the fact they are ancient, about 15 million years old. Those wood we found are some without opals, some are partially filled with opals, and some are petrified woods, a fascinating and rare natural phenomenon that occurs when wood transitions into stone through a long and intricate process of mineralization. Below are the specimens depicted in the provided images serve as excellent examples of this geological transformation, offering a glimpse into the beauty and complexity of fossilized wood. These samples are not only stunning visually, but they also provide valuable information about the history of the Earth and the processes that shape it.

To be consider as a fossil, it has to be over 10.000 years.

According to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil

The pinecones Fossil specimens are still closed indicates that the eruptions happened somewhat in spring about 15 millions years ago.

The specimens in the images above, with their varied shades of brown, black, and gray, highlight the diverse mineral content that can contribute to this transformation. The darker, almost charcoal-black coloration seen in the so called jet black common opal could indicate a higher concentration of carbon or iron-based minerals, while the lighter patches suggest areas where silica may have dominated.

Formation Process: Turning Wood to Stone

The petrification of wood begins with the organic material becoming buried under layers of sediment in an environment deprived of oxygen. This is crucial because it prevents the wood from decaying. Over time, groundwater rich in dissolved minerals, such as silica, in our case. (Other than petrified wood which is in most cases are Agate), then the solution flows through the sediment, gradually replacing the original cellular structure of the wood with, often quartz or opal.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal vs https://www.britannica.com/science/petrified-wood

The result is a near-perfect stone replica of the once-living wood, preserving its grain patterns, growth rings, and even cellular structures.

Wood Opals: A Window into the Past

These wood opals are not just aesthetically pleasing; they are also windows into ancient ecosystems. The original wood could be millions of years old, dating back to the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. By studying the grain patterns, scientists can determine what type of tree the wood came from, the climate it grew in, and even the environmental conditions that led to its petrification. This makes petrified wood an invaluable tool for paleobotanists and geologists alike.

The rough, irregular shapes of the specimens in some of the images, as well as their visibly cracked surfaces, suggest that they may have been part of a larger piece that fractured over time. These fractures might have occurred during excavation, or they could have naturally split due to the stress of the surrounding rocks as they were unearthed or earth movement after millions of years.

Opalization: The Role of Silica

One particularly rare and striking type of petrified wood is known as opalized wood, where the mineral opal plays a key role in the fossilization process. Opal is a hydrated form of silica, and it gives the fossilized wood a shimmering, iridescent quality that can be incredibly captivating.

Wood opals like these are typically found in regions that were once covered by forests and volcanic activity, such as the American Southwest or Australia. The silica required for opalization often comes from volcanic ash, which, when combined with the right environmental conditions, can produce opalized wood specimens.

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The common woodsopal slabbed specimens in the image above, don’t appear to exhibit this opal-like sheen just by cutting them, while samples below contain trace amounts of opal within their structure. Both specimens, common and precious Opals due to silica contains giving them a smooth, polished appearance after polishing and sometimes just by the natural break.

Woodsopals slabbeds