What is Petrified Wood?
Petrified Wood is a natural, organic gemstone that occurs when the original wood is slowly replaced over time by other minerals (such as Chalcedony, Agate, Opal, Pyrite, or Calcite) to leave behind a stone representation of the wood. This process is called mineralization, and can result in a wide array of natural colors. When the organic material of Petrified Wood has specifically been replaced by Chalcedony or Agate, it is sometimes called Agatized Wood, and may feature clouds or splotches of color rather than sharply visible woodgrain.
What are Organic Gemstones?
When we say that Petrified Wood is an organic gemstone, what does that mean? When a gemstone was originally living material, or the byproduct of living material, and becomes fossilized or mineralized over time, it is considered an organic gemstone. Other organic gemstones include Amber (fossilized tree sap), Pearls (created by oysters), and Ammolite, which forms on fossil Ammonite shells. These organic gemstones can provide a fascinating glimpse of the way living creatures work, whether today in the case of oysters, or millions of years ago in the case of fossil Ammonites and Petrified Wood.
Petrified Wood Meaning and Properties
The spiritual meaning and metaphysical properties of Petrified Wood give this gemstone strong ties to the Root Chakra and Third Eye Chakra, as it is a stone that assists in grounding as well as personal growth. Petrified Wood is known for its soothing presence, encouraging feelings of security, balance, and comfort. It's from this sense of stability that an awareness and appreciation for the world around us can unfurl and expand, like branches ever reaching upward. This is why Petrified Wood is often used as a focal stone for those who want to attain wisdom, communicate with nature spirits, and learn to endure difficulties with calm patience. Petrified Wood is a fantastic grounding stone, but it is also known for helping us roll with the punches, keep an open mind, and move through the world with pragmatic flexibility.