4.3" Fossilized Polished Petrified Wood Branch Madagascar 66-225 Million Yrs Old
Location: Madagascar
Weight: 9.9 Ounces
Dimensions: 4.3 Inches Long, 3.5 Inches Wide, 0.6 Inches Thick
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
66-225 million years old Cretaceous and Quaternary periods
This polished petrified wood specimen from Madagascar showcases the extraordinary beauty created when nature and deep time intersect. Finished to a smooth, reflective sheen, the specimen reveals dramatic patterns and rich coloration formed during the fossilization process, making it an exceptional display piece.
During the late Tertiary period, extensive forests grew across the volcanic regions of Madagascar. Catastrophic eruptions periodically blanketed these landscapes in ash and lava, rapidly burying fallen trees and cutting off oxygen and biological decay. This unique environment allowed the wood to undergo silicification, a slow mineral replacement process in which the original organic material was preserved and transformed into stone.
Over millions of years, the wood’s cellular structure was replaced by silica-based minerals such as quartz, chalcedony, jasper, opal, and calcite. Trace elements present during mineralization produced the specimen’s vivid color palette. Iron compounds created warm reds, browns, and amber tones, while manganese contributed deep blues, grays, and jet-black accents.
Highly valued by fossil collectors, lapidary artists, and interior designers, Madagascar petrified wood is prized for its durability, striking natural colors, and geological significance. Each polished piece offers a unique, timeless window into Earth’s volcanic past and ancient forest ecosystems.
