Where is Opalized Wood found?
Silicified wood (variety of Opal)
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Open the appOpalized Wood occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Opalized Wood
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, USA
Famous for vast deposits of petrified wood, much of which is silicified by quartz, but opalized wood can also be found, particularly in the Chinle Formation.
Queensland, Australia
Known for significant deposits of precious opalized wood, particularly in areas like Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy, where wood has been replaced by precious opal.
Indonesia
Produces large quantities of petrified wood, including opalized varieties, often with vibrant colors and excellent preservation of wood grain.
Madagascar
A source of beautifully colored petrified wood, some of which is opalized, often exhibiting intricate patterns.
Argentina
Patagonia is home to several petrified forests, including the Sarmiento Petrified Forest, where silicified wood, including opalized forms, is abundant.
Collecting tips
- Look for Sedimentary Environments. Focus your search in areas with ancient floodplains, volcanic ash deposits, or lake beds, as these are common settings for the formation of opalized wood.
- Identify Wood-like Structures. Look for rock fragments that exhibit the characteristic grain, growth rings, or cellular patterns of wood, even if the material itself appears stony.
- Check for Luster and Hardness. Opalized wood will have a vitreous to waxy luster and a hardness of 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs scale, which can help distinguish it from actual wood or other rock types.
- Examine for Play-of-Color. If searching for precious opalized wood, carefully observe specimens under varying light conditions for the characteristic iridescent play-of-color.
- Consult Geological Maps. Utilize geological maps to identify formations known to contain fossilized wood or silica-rich deposits.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Variable (white, gray, brown, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, iridescent)
- Luster:
- Vitreous to waxy, resinous, or dull
- Streak:
- White
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