Frequently asked questions

• What exactly is petrified wood — is it actually wood?

  Petrified wood is fossilized: the original organic cellulose has been replaced over millions of years by silica, leaving microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) that preserves the wood's cellular structure. So what you're stringing is mineral, not wood — it just looks like wood because the grain, growth rings, and knots were templated by the original tree before silicification. Trace minerals during fossilization create the brown, tan, red, black, and occasional blue or green tones. Mohs 6.5–7 places it in the same durability range as agate and jasper, which makes sense — they're all chalcedony varieties.
• Is petrified wood usually treated or dyed?

  Petrified wood is typically sold natural — the earthy brown, tan, gray, and rust palette comes from trace minerals locked in during fossilization, not from dye. Because the chalcedony matrix is already dense and stable, it doesn't need the stabilization treatments common to turquoise or howlite. Occasionally heavily fractured material is stabilized with resin, and very rarely dyed pieces appear in the market. Treatment status should be disclosed — ask before buying if it isn't specified. For most strands you can assume the color you see is geological, not cosmetic.
• What jewelry projects does petrified wood work well for?

  The earthy palette and organic grain pattern make petrified wood a natural fit for masculine designs, southwest and bohemian styling, and nature-themed pieces. Rounds in 6–10mm work for everyday bracelets and longer necklace strands; the coins and marquise cuts featured in this family flatten well into bib necklaces and statement earrings where the grain pattern reads as the design element. It pairs comfortably with leather cord, oxidized silver, brass, brown or smoky quartz, tiger eye, and other earth-tone chalcedonies. The 30mm and large freeform pebbles work as focal beads on chunky single-strand necklaces.
• How durable is petrified wood for daily-wear pieces?

  At Mohs 6.5–7, petrified wood holds up well in bracelets, necklaces, and earrings worn regularly. It's harder than turquoise and roughly equivalent to agate or jasper — fine for most jewelry applications. Rings see more abrasion than other pieces, so reserve petrified wood rings for occasional wear rather than daily knock-around use. Clean with mild soap and a soft cloth; skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners because internal fractures or porous spots in fossilized material can react unpredictably. Avoid prolonged exposure to harsh solvents and store away from harder stones that could scratch the polish.
• How is petrified wood different from fossil coral or jasper?

  All three are chalcedony-based and share similar hardness, but the patterns reveal different origins. Petrified wood shows linear grain, growth rings, and sometimes bark texture — features inherited from the original tree. Fossil coral shows radial flower-like patterns from coral polyp structures. Jasper is mineral from the start with no biological template, so its patterns are swirls, orbicular spots, or banding rather than organic structure. In the trade, agatized petrified wood with translucent zones sometimes overlaps with what gets sold as agate. If grain pattern is central to your design, look for cuts where the wood structure reads clearly across the bead face.