4.4" Fossilized Polished Petrified Wood Branch Madagascar 66-225 Million Yrs Old

Location: Madagascar

Weight: 10.2 Ounces

Dimensions: 4.4 Inches Long, 3.6 Inches Wide, 0.5 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 is a beautifully decorated fossil, finished to a smooth, reflective sheen that highlights its rich natural colors and intricate internal patterns. The striking variations in color are the result of mineral-rich waters permeating the wood during the fossilization process, transforming ancient trees into stone while preserving their original structure.

During the late Tertiary period, extensive forests surrounded active volcanic regions across Madagascar. Volcanic eruptions periodically blanketed these forests in ash and lava, rapidly burying fallen trees and cutting off oxygen. This environment halted decay by eliminating microorganisms and created ideal conditions for petrification.

Over millions of years, the original wood was gradually replaced by silica-based minerals, including quartz, chalcedony, jasper, opal, and calcite. Trace elements within these minerals are responsible for the specimen’s vivid coloration. Iron oxides produce warm hues ranging from golden browns to deep oranges, while manganese contributes cool tones of blue, gray, and black.

Highly prized by fossil collectors, lapidary artists, and interior designers, Madagascar petrified wood is valued for its durability, geological significance, and exceptional visual appeal. Each specimen is unique—a natural work of art shaped by time, heat, and mineral-rich waters.